Riyad Mahrez Reportedly Set to Quit Algeria National Team After AFCON Exit

• Riyad Mahrez is reportedly considering retiring from international football
• Mahrez failed to guide the Desert Warriors past the AFCON group stages
• Algeria finished bottom of Group D with two points from three matches

Riyad Mahrez could be set to retire from international football following Algeria’s dismal ousting from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, after an embarrassing 1-0 loss to Mauritania.

The former Manchester City forward was dropped to the bench by manager, Djamel Belmadi for the crucial game, but that quickly backfired as the Desert Warriors were punished.

Algeria would succumb to Mohamed Della Yaly’s strike near the end of the first half, which was enough to sink the 2019 AFCON champions and send them back home as the bottom team from Group D, KingFut reports.

Mahrez, who made his debut for Algeria in 2014 and led them to the continental title in 2019, is now said to be ready to quit the national team after 10 years following their disappointing ouster from the tournament.

AFCON 2023: 6 notable countries not in the tournament including 3 former Champions

Football

The 2016 Africa Footballer of the Year represented Algeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, winning the title once.

Algeria’s AFCON woes continue

Meanwhile, Algeria finished with just two points from three matches and failed to win a single game at the AFCON in the last two editions in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

After playing two consecutive draws against Angola and Burkina Faso, the Desert Warriors desperately needed a win against Mauritania to make it through to the Round of 16, Livescore reported.

Instead, Algeria was eliminated from the group stages of the competition for the second time, having failed to advance to the knockout round in the previous AFCON edition.

Teams eliminated from AFCON 2023

Sports Brief also earlier reported that some countries' dreams of winning AFCON 2023 have ended, as five teams have been eliminated as the group stage approaches its completion.

AFCON 2023: Morocco captain rules out Atlas Lions chances of winning cup

Football

Ghana and Algeria are two of the biggest casualties so far as the Black Stars crumbled at the death against Mozambique, conceding two late goals to crash out of the tournament.

Algeria, on the other hand, only needed a draw against Mauritania in their final group match to advance to the Round of 16, but the Desert Warriors suffered a 1-0 defeat to also crash out.