Abidjan, Ivory Coast, (BBC) – Algeria announced Thursday they had parted company with coach Djamel Belmadi while Jalel Kadri resigned as Tunisia head coach after both countries bowed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage.
Belmadi’s exit came a day after the Desert Foxes’ shock 1-0 loss to Mauritania, which meant the 2019 winners finished bottom of Group D in Ivory Coast.
Kadri announced he was stepping down in a post-match television interview after Tunisia’s 0-0 draw with South Africa in their final Group E game in Korhogo on Wednesday.
“My mission at the head of the Tunisian national team is now over,” Kadri is reported to have said.
Belmadi, 47, took over as coach of the Desert Foxes in August 2018 and signed a contract extension a year ago to remain in the post until 2026.
Kadri was appointed after the 2021 Afcon finals and the 52-year-old led the Carthage Eagles to qualification for the 2022 World Cup, where the North Africans went out in the group stage.
Their departures are the latest in a remarkable series of coaching departures at the ongoing finals in West Africa.
Hosts Ivory Coast dismissed boss Jean-Louis Gasset earlier on Wednesday – even though the Elephants still had hopes of progressing to the last 16 as one of four best-ranked third-placed teams.
On Tuesday, Tom Saintfiet resigned as coach of The Gambia after the Scorpions finished bottom of Group C while Ghana sacked Chris Hughton after the four-time champions suffered an early elimination.
Algeria have suffered successive group-stage exits from the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
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