Just hours after Algeria’s 2-2 draw with Burundi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, social media was abuzz with rumors of Ramy Bensebaini falling out with head coach Ibrahim Hamdani.
African football journalist Dean Ammi revealed on X that Bensebaini saw a ‘lack of professionalism’ under Hamdani and wanted to leave the Algerian camp without returning as long as he’s the coach.
It was further revealed that the 31-year-old Borussia Dortmund defender had originally planned to retire following their World Cup exit at the hands of Switzerland in the Round of 32.
But today, all such rumors have been quashed, with the player seen in the Algerian training camp with the squad.
YS Scores reports that sources close to the Algerian national team have confirmed Bensebaini is training as usual with the squad ahead of their international friendly with Niger.
Both him and Anis Haj Moussa had received permission to join the squad late last month for personal reasons. Bensebaini then featured in both their AFCON qualifiers last month, starting against Zambia and Burundi.
Ahead of their first match though, the squad was rocked by a dispute between Hemdani and Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri after he wasn’t substituted in their Zambia clash.
A video that surfaced online showed the player throwing a hissy fit at the manager from the bench with Ait-Nouri clearly appearing frustrated.
News later emerged that he’s been sent home from the Algerian camp as the Desert Warriors appeared to have suffered a double-whammy after rumors of Bensebaini too leaving emerged.
But now that the air surrounding another potential controversy has been cleared, the Algerian fans can have a breather.
The latest developments had threatened to destabilize the start of a new era under Hemdani, who took over as the manager of the Algerian national team following Vladimir Petkovic’s departure post the World Cup, which also coincided with long-time stalwarts Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi retiring too.
Both players served as captains during their time in the North African side and Bensebaini inherited leadership duties from them under Hemdani after their national team exits. However, it’s been a rocky start for him as the new Algerian skipper though.
The defender looked shaky in the first half of their 3-1 win over Zambia before committing a shocking blunder against Burundi which gifted the side their second goal of the 2-2 draw. He could be rested for their third and final tie of the international window against Niger on Tuesday, 6 October, as it’s just a friendly match.
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