Algeria Claim Top Prize

Mahrez and his team-mates triumph over Senegal in Cairo

- Mark Gleeson

At last, Algeria finally delivered on decades of potential and reaped the rewards for boldly initiating a change in FIFA eligibility rules that allowed them to put together a squad good enough to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

While the 1-0 victory over Senegal in the Final was far from convincing, Algeria did deserve to lift the trophy at the end of a heady, hot month amid a politically charged off-field atmosphere and more incredulous bumbling by the scandal-ridden Confederation of African Football.

Djamel Belmadi, who was only appointed Algeria coach in August last year, turned out to be an inspiring leader, while Riyad Mahrez headed a talented group on the field, with Ismael Bennacer the player of the tournament. Algeria were exciting in attack and masterful in midfield, characterised by a pressing game that defied the taxing conditions. But their defence did not get as much credit as it should have, given they conceded only two goals in seven games on their way to the title.

The squad was well balanced and had a depth few could match; the legacy of tapping into the diaspora and drawing players from the Algerian community in France to strengthen the side.

It was former Algerian Football Federation boss Mohamed Raouraoua who introduced the rule change that saw FIFA end draconian eligibility rules to allow players who had represented one country at junior level to later commit for another if they possessed dual nationality.

This meant Algeria, whose previous AFCON success came on home soil in 1990, could pick from an impressive list of former French junior internationals who did not step up to play for Les Bleus.