End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
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End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
End of the road for Golden Generation after World Cup 2018 qualification failure
By Robert Malit Posted on September 4, 2017
Algeria lost the match but won hearts when Germany knocked them out of the 2014 World Cup. The performance did not lead to better things. This piece charts Algeria’s decline since.
When Algeria pushed Germany all the way to extra time, at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, many thought that the “golden generation” team would turn a leaf and live to its billing. Unfortunately, three years later, that defeat remains their greatest success.
On Saturday, 9th August, the Desert Foxes’ World Cup 2018 qualification hopes were ended in Lusaka. Brian Mwila looked to have put the tie beyond the foxes with a first half brace. Opportunity for a fight-back presented itself through a Brahimi strike and a Sakala red card. It was all for naught as Enock Mwepu assured his country a win with an 89th minute goal.
There is more to the 3-1 result than Zambia’s performance, reminiscent of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, or Algeria’s tactical and personnel shortcomings.
Over the last five years, or so, Algeria has been considered the best team in Africa. That they have arrived at each of the last four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments as favorites may not convince you. Well, there is the fact that they have been the top ranked African side for the better part of their “golden generation” era.
The same FIFA World Rankings that give credence to assertions of Algeria’s superiority also tell the story of a team in decline. In the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 Algeria has ended the year ranked 18th, 28th and 38th respectively. Fittingly, the Fennecs are currently ranked 48th.
It may be ludicrous to suggest that Algeria has hit rock bottom for missing out on Africa’s few World Cup spots. 10 years ago they would have taken AFCON qualification. Therefore, it must be admitted that a tremendous job has been done within the country to develop football under the helm of Mohamed Raouraoua. But being outside of the World top 50 countries is the hallmark of a poor football team. Even the expanded World Cup is only going to have 48 countries.
How things unraveled
Vahid Halilodzic moved on to newer challenges after guiding Algeria to the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Algeria’s naturalization drive had gone up a gear during Halilo’s tenure. Luckily, he built a better team. The Desert foxes’ squad could be confused for a mid-tier European side. Of course, this is not because of the European roots of the players.
His successors delivered clean qualifications to two AFCONs. But the stain of crumbling against other strong African sides remained. In 2015, they were lucky to beat a better South African side and reach the quarter-finals. Algeria lost to another underwhelming “golden generation” team, Ivory Coast.
Neither performance nor result became better in 2017. Algeria was ousted in the group stage and could not even muster a win against Zimbabwe; one of the fodder teams that made them ranked number one. This has worsened to scoring only three goals in three 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
What next?
Algeria could be in problems. This generation will be aging in 2019 and it remains unclear which players will pick the baton. The country has increasingly preferred Franco-Algerians to local league and Africa-based talent. As an example, Belfodil who was courted publicly in an embarrassing campaign is no closer to a starting position. Another striker, Bounedjah barely got an opportunity because of the names of his clubs.
The same is true for coaching. Forget that the “weakness of the Algerian defence” has not been addressed by one of Gourcuff, Rajevac, Leekens or Alcaraz. The mediocre Europeans, who supposedly help attract naturalized talent, have not shown value to be highest paid coaches in Africa.
Source
By Robert Malit Posted on September 4, 2017
Algeria lost the match but won hearts when Germany knocked them out of the 2014 World Cup. The performance did not lead to better things. This piece charts Algeria’s decline since.
When Algeria pushed Germany all the way to extra time, at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, many thought that the “golden generation” team would turn a leaf and live to its billing. Unfortunately, three years later, that defeat remains their greatest success.
On Saturday, 9th August, the Desert Foxes’ World Cup 2018 qualification hopes were ended in Lusaka. Brian Mwila looked to have put the tie beyond the foxes with a first half brace. Opportunity for a fight-back presented itself through a Brahimi strike and a Sakala red card. It was all for naught as Enock Mwepu assured his country a win with an 89th minute goal.
There is more to the 3-1 result than Zambia’s performance, reminiscent of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, or Algeria’s tactical and personnel shortcomings.
Over the last five years, or so, Algeria has been considered the best team in Africa. That they have arrived at each of the last four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments as favorites may not convince you. Well, there is the fact that they have been the top ranked African side for the better part of their “golden generation” era.
The same FIFA World Rankings that give credence to assertions of Algeria’s superiority also tell the story of a team in decline. In the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 Algeria has ended the year ranked 18th, 28th and 38th respectively. Fittingly, the Fennecs are currently ranked 48th.
It may be ludicrous to suggest that Algeria has hit rock bottom for missing out on Africa’s few World Cup spots. 10 years ago they would have taken AFCON qualification. Therefore, it must be admitted that a tremendous job has been done within the country to develop football under the helm of Mohamed Raouraoua. But being outside of the World top 50 countries is the hallmark of a poor football team. Even the expanded World Cup is only going to have 48 countries.
How things unraveled
Vahid Halilodzic moved on to newer challenges after guiding Algeria to the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Algeria’s naturalization drive had gone up a gear during Halilo’s tenure. Luckily, he built a better team. The Desert foxes’ squad could be confused for a mid-tier European side. Of course, this is not because of the European roots of the players.
His successors delivered clean qualifications to two AFCONs. But the stain of crumbling against other strong African sides remained. In 2015, they were lucky to beat a better South African side and reach the quarter-finals. Algeria lost to another underwhelming “golden generation” team, Ivory Coast.
Neither performance nor result became better in 2017. Algeria was ousted in the group stage and could not even muster a win against Zimbabwe; one of the fodder teams that made them ranked number one. This has worsened to scoring only three goals in three 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
What next?
Algeria could be in problems. This generation will be aging in 2019 and it remains unclear which players will pick the baton. The country has increasingly preferred Franco-Algerians to local league and Africa-based talent. As an example, Belfodil who was courted publicly in an embarrassing campaign is no closer to a starting position. Another striker, Bounedjah barely got an opportunity because of the names of his clubs.
The same is true for coaching. Forget that the “weakness of the Algerian defence” has not been addressed by one of Gourcuff, Rajevac, Leekens or Alcaraz. The mediocre Europeans, who supposedly help attract naturalized talent, have not shown value to be highest paid coaches in Africa.
Source
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
This was by no means a golden generation. All they did was get to the 2nd round of the World Cup; an achievement matched by a Nigerian team with about 7 players who had no business near the Super Eagles.
They did not win the AFCON. Sorry, they never even played an AFCON final.
They were a decent African side. That is about it.
They did not win the AFCON. Sorry, they never even played an AFCON final.
They were a decent African side. That is about it.
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
nope they had like 4 managers.... changing coaches left and right
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
That is part of the point of the article.truetalk wrote:This was by no means a golden generation. All they did was get to the 2nd round of the World Cup; an achievement matched by a Nigerian team with about 7 players who had no business near the Super Eagles.
They did not win the AFCON. Sorry, they never even played an AFCON final.
They were a decent African side. That is about it.
While this Algerian team was not as good as the 80s and the "independence" teams, they are a very talented team that amounted to nothing and is now fading.
Just watch their game against eventual winners Germany.
This is in the same mold as the CIV team of Drogba, the Toure brothers, Popito, e.t.c.
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Their golden generation was 1980 to 1990. Starting off with getting to the AFCON final in 1980 in Lagos, they went on to qualify for 2 world cups and closed the decade with an AFCON win before that generation faded out.
These guys did not reach even one AFCON final. Not a golden generation for me.
These guys did not reach even one AFCON final. Not a golden generation for me.
"I Think, Therefore I am" - Rene Descartes
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
My guy no need to argue this one, when you do not achieve you cannot be called GOLDEN anything...Golden generation ke? They did not even make it to a AFCON final talkless of winning it. Haba bro, fear God...smhKabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Algeria is what happens when a team is filled with European born mercenaries. That is why Nigerians who think the SE will be better if we fill it with British born Nigerians need to check themselves.
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Well, has CIV ever had a "golden generation?"Robbynice wrote:My guy no need to argue this one, when you do not achieve you cannot be called GOLDEN anything...Golden generation ke? They did not even make it to a AFCON final talkless of winning it. Haba bro, fear God...smhKabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
IMHO yes and they even capped it with a AFCON title, got to the final several times...Drogba might not have played the competition but majority of the players in that generation did.Kabalega wrote:Well, has CIV ever had a "golden generation?"Robbynice wrote:My guy no need to argue this one, when you do not achieve you cannot be called GOLDEN anything...Golden generation ke? They did not even make it to a AFCON final talkless of winning it. Haba bro, fear God...smhKabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
DEM GO HEAR WEN!!! © Robbynice
We don't all have to serve or even honor the call to serve but don't boo those that choose to honor the call to serve...© Cellular 2009
"I do not think I know everything about football but I have massive experience." - Arsene Wenger
We don't all have to serve or even honor the call to serve but don't boo those that choose to honor the call to serve...© Cellular 2009
"I do not think I know everything about football but I have massive experience." - Arsene Wenger
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
How many British born Nigerians started vs Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia( FYI VIC MO and IWobi were both born in Nigeria)ogasir wrote:Algeria is what happens when a team is filled with European born mercenaries. That is why Nigerians who think the SE will be better if we fill it with British born Nigerians need to check themselves.
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Not true!Robbynice wrote:IMHO yes and they even capped it with a AFCON title, got to the final several times...Drogba might not have played the competition but majority of the players in that generation did.Kabalega wrote:Well, has CIV ever had a "golden generation?"Robbynice wrote:My guy no need to argue this one, when you do not achieve you cannot be called GOLDEN anything...Golden generation ke? They did not even make it to a AFCON final talkless of winning it. Haba bro, fear God...smhKabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
The CIV team that won AFCON only had Gervinho, the Toure brothers, Salomon Kalou, and Gradel Serey from the golden generation. That is 5 players in a squad of 23 that won AFCON 2015.
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Algeria just need a good manager. The new coach sucks.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not be in want.
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
You're thinking like a Ugandan football fan. You associate "Golden generation" with mediocrity that is just slightly better than the norm. I'm sure should Uganda qualify and get knocked out of the wc in the first round or just fail to qualify for the wc, this group will be described as "golden generation" because they made the afcon and maybe qualify for wc.Kabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Golden generation is marked with a title and other laurels
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Then, when will Naija have a golden generation?pajimoh wrote:You're thinking like a Ugandan football fan. You associate "Golden generation" with mediocrity that is just slightly better than the norm. I'm sure should Uganda qualify and get knocked out of the wc in the first round or just fail to qualify for the wc, this group will be described as "golden generation" because they made the afcon and maybe qualify for wc.Kabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Golden generation is marked with a title and other laurels
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
96. But now we don't want any golden generation, we want titles, something you have no clue aboutKabalega wrote:Then, when will Naija have a golden generation?pajimoh wrote:You're thinking like a Ugandan football fan. You associate "Golden generation" with mediocrity that is just slightly better than the norm. I'm sure should Uganda qualify and get knocked out of the wc in the first round or just fail to qualify for the wc, this group will be described as "golden generation" because they made the afcon and maybe qualify for wc.Kabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Golden generation is marked with a title and other laurels
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Mehdi Cerbah
Kouchi Mustapha
Ali Fergani
Lakhdar Belloumi
Rabar Madjar
Now that is what I call a "Golden generation."
Kouchi Mustapha
Ali Fergani
Lakhdar Belloumi
Rabar Madjar
Now that is what I call a "Golden generation."
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Actually, 94-96. The team won AFCON on foreign soil. Qualified for the WC for the first time. Had a good outing. Almost all the players were making waves in Europe. They really put Naija on the football map - Ranked 5th in the world. That trickled into the Olympic glory of 96.nemi2002 wrote:96. But now we don't want any golden generation, we want titles, something you have no clue aboutKabalega wrote:Then, when will Naija have a golden generation?pajimoh wrote:You're thinking like a Ugandan football fan. You associate "Golden generation" with mediocrity that is just slightly better than the norm. I'm sure should Uganda qualify and get knocked out of the wc in the first round or just fail to qualify for the wc, this group will be described as "golden generation" because they made the afcon and maybe qualify for wc.Kabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Golden generation is marked with a title and other laurels
Super Eagles - Fly Above The Storm!!!
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Interesting....pajimoh wrote:Actually, 94-96. The team won AFCON on foreign soil. Qualified for the WC for the first time. Had a good outing. Almost all the players were making waves in Europe. They really put Naija on the football map - Ranked 5th in the world. That trickled into the Olympic glory of 96.nemi2002 wrote:96. But now we don't want any golden generation, we want titles, something you have no clue aboutKabalega wrote:Then, when will Naija have a golden generation?pajimoh wrote:You're thinking like a Ugandan football fan. You associate "Golden generation" with mediocrity that is just slightly better than the norm. I'm sure should Uganda qualify and get knocked out of the wc in the first round or just fail to qualify for the wc, this group will be described as "golden generation" because they made the afcon and maybe qualify for wc.Kabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Golden generation is marked with a title and other laurels
So the Naija Eagles team that won 2013 AFCON, qualified for Brazil 2014 World Cup© and went all the way to the 2nd round, are not a golden generation?
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”- Sun Tzu
Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
You're fishing in the dark, get a light. Not arguing against 2013 crew, you are. The 1994 team were pioneers. 2013 crew did not achieve more than the 94 group and no team in Africa is yet to achieve top 5 FIFA rankingKabalega wrote:Interesting....pajimoh wrote:Actually, 94-96. The team won AFCON on foreign soil. Qualified for the WC for the first time. Had a good outing. Almost all the players were making waves in Europe. They really put Naija on the football map - Ranked 5th in the world. That trickled into the Olympic glory of 96.nemi2002 wrote:96. But now we don't want any golden generation, we want titles, something you have no clue aboutKabalega wrote:Then, when will Naija have a golden generation?pajimoh wrote:You're thinking like a Ugandan football fan. You associate "Golden generation" with mediocrity that is just slightly better than the norm. I'm sure should Uganda qualify and get knocked out of the wc in the first round or just fail to qualify for the wc, this group will be described as "golden generation" because they made the afcon and maybe qualify for wc.Kabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Golden generation is marked with a title and other laurels
So the Naija Eagles team that won 2013 AFCON, qualified for Brazil 2014 World Cup© and went all the way to the 2nd round, are not a golden generation?
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Thank you,the fact they won nothing shows that they clearly are not a golden anything as they as a football team can only prove themselves by doing the best thing they can do and that is to win,imagine calling an engineless formula 1 car a great car just by its shape when it will never compete with cars that do what cars are supposed to do?Robbynice wrote:My guy no need to argue this one, when you do not achieve you cannot be called GOLDEN anything...Golden generation ke? They did not even make it to a AFCON final talkless of winning it. Haba bro, fear God...smhKabalega wrote:Achievement and talent are two different issues.Eaglezbeak wrote:Ok so so called golden generations in Africa are easy to come by what on earth did they achieve?
Last edited by Eaglezbeak on Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: End of the road for Algeria's Golden Generation
Nigeria got into the 2nd round? At a World Cup ? How did your perennial husbands , Argentina let it happen- ? Yours is a ('obodo di na nwunye) situation at the World cups! Africa is tired of this!truetalk wrote:This was by no means a golden generation. All they did was get to the 2nd round of the World Cup; an achievement matched by a Nigerian team with about 7 players who had no business near the Super Eagles.
They did not win the AFCON. Sorry, they never even played an AFCON final.
They were a decent African side. That is about it.
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