Hemdani justifies his decisions and expresses his aspirations.
The notable absences from his first selection fueled speculation for several hours. In a press conference, Brahim Hemdani quickly put an end to the rumors: no international player has been sanctioned, and no personal issues influenced his choices. The new head of the Greens preferred to establish the rules that will now govern access to the national team.
The question of power sharing within the staff was often raised. The coach dismissed it outright. "I have had numerous meetings with Anthar as well as with the general manager, Moussa Saïb. There is no ambiguity on this matter: I am the head coach, and I make the decisions. There is no ambiguity," he stated.
This clarification directly addresses the doubts raised by the restructuring decided by the Federal Bureau, with Antar Yahia as assistant and Moussa Saïb as general manager. The technical staff collaborates, but the final decision rests with one person.
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No disciplinary sanctions behind the absentees of the Greens
The message to the players not selected can be summed up in a few sentences. "The door is open to all players. I did not come with preconceived ideas or messages. It was not about excluding anyone," explained the coach. For him, this list is merely a reflection of the moment.
The criteria applied are based purely on performance. The coach relied on his observations in the stadiums and on the matches he personally supervised in recent weeks. "Today's selection is that of the current moment," he summarized.
This approach contrasts with that of his predecessor. Last spring, the Bosnian refused to explain the exclusion of key players like Bounedjah and Bennacer, claiming he did not have to justify his choices. Hemdani, on the other hand, chose transparency for his first public appearance.
Reset: this expression frequently appears in the coach's statements. "All players have a chance to be selected; no one has been excluded for disciplinary reasons. Only results and performances will be determining factors in establishing a list," he insisted.
Brahim Hemdani prioritizes qualification before any ambition at the AFCON
When asked about his objectives, the coach avoided rushing things. "The goal is to qualify for the AFCON with an ambitious team, but before that, we must ensure we qualify to have that ambition. Everything in its time," he declared.
Two matches are at the top of his immediate agenda. The national coach wants to approach these games well before looking further ahead. A cautious stance for a coach who is stepping onto the bench of the senior team after his success at the Mediterranean Games.
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