Algiers – Despite the bitter disappointment of Algeria’s quarter-final exit from the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 following a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria, several members of the national team have responded to the elimination with a calm demeanor. Their statements reflect a mix of acknowledging the pain, defending their performance, and expressing optimism for the future, particularly amidst controversial refereeing decisions that sparked considerable debate.
Luca Zidane: Disappointment Tempered by Pride
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane conveyed mixed emotions after Algeria’s journey in the continental tournament concluded. He acknowledged the painful exit but emphasized that it did not diminish his sense of pride. Zidane stated on his social media that the disappointment was significant; however, the feeling of pride in his first Africa Cup of Nations experience, especially while wearing the Algerian jersey – the land of his ancestors – remained stronger. The young goalkeeper stressed that this elimination would not mark the end of the road, believing that the Algerian team possesses the ability to always bounce back. He also extended a special thank you to the Algerian fans, whose support throughout the tournament he described as the team’s ‘greatest weapon’. This tournament marked Zidane’s first participation in the prestigious continental event, where he successfully established himself among the goalkeepers and delivered commendable performances prior to the match against Nigeria.
Tense Atmosphere After the Final Whistle
The Algeria-Nigeria match extended beyond the 90 minutes, with repercussions continuing after the final whistle by Senegalese referee Issa Sy, amidst protests from the Algerian players regarding certain controversial refereeing decisions. A video circulated showing the tense atmosphere on the field and even in the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, leading to widespread interpretations, especially concerning the actions of some players.
Rafik Belghali Clarifies: No Confrontation, No Escalation
Amidst the controversy, right-back Rafik Belghali broke his silence, clarifying the truth about what transpired between him and the referee. Belghali confirmed, via a post on platform ‘X’, that he had seen the circulating video and understood that it could be misinterpreted out of its full context. However, he categorically denied any attempt to confront or assault the referee. The player explained that he approached the referee after the match to shake his hand.
