The 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations championship in Algeria has wrapped up its second week of competition. The four host cities: Algiers, Annaba, Constantine and Oran, has been home to over 400 footballers since January 13.
These four towns are no strangers to high level football, as they currently serve as home to some of Algeria’s finest football clubs.
Apart from being home to many football clubs, some of the greats of Algerian football have emerged from these cities. We take a look at some of the all-time best footballers from the 2022 TotalEnergies CHAN host cities.
Lakhdar Belloumi
Algerian football legend Lakhdar Belloumi, is probably one of the best ever to emerge from the port city of Oran in northwest of Algeria.
Oran hosts of Group D and E of the 2022 TotalEnergies CHAN. Visitors in this city will probably like to know more about Belloumi.
Born on December 29, 1958 in Mascara, Southwest Oran and now aged 64, Lakhdar Belloumi is widely considered as the best Algerian player of all time. The attacking midfielder earned over 100 caps for the Algerian National team and is the third highest goal scorer in the history of the Desert foxes. He scored 28 goals in 100 caps for his country between 1978-1989.
His career took him to the likes of local side GC Mascara, MC Oran and Al_Arabi SC amongst others. He left a mark at the international scene; finished runner up at the 1980 TotalEnergies AFCON, and grabbed a third place finish in 1984 and 1988 tournaments.
Lakhdar Belloumi is remembered for his goal against West Germany in Algeria’s 2-1 win in their world cup debut in 1982 in Spain. He went on to feature at the 1984 world cup, before hanging his boots in 1989, after which he ventured into coaching.
Ramy Bensebaini
Amir Selmane Ramy Bensebaïni (27), is an active footballer currently representing Algeria and Borussia Monchengladbach.
The left back was born on April 16, 1995 in Constantine. Bensebaini started his career at Paradou Athletic Club, before making the transition to Europe.
Bensebaini has won 51 caps for Algeria, scoring six goals. He played a big role in his country winning the 2019 TotalEnergies AFCON.
Rabah Madjer
Rabah Mustapha Madjer was born in the District of Hussien Dey, Algiers, on December 15, 1958. Algiers is currently host of Group A of the 2022 TotalEnergies CHAN.
The striker had his early days with home side Na Hussien Dey, before moving to Europe where he represented Racing Paris, FC Porto, Valencia, before ending his career at Qatar SC.
Madjer won 87 caps for Algeria between 1978 and 1992, scoring 28 goals. He won the 1990 TotalEnergies AFCON, finishing runner up in 1980, and third in 1984 and 1988.
His scintillating form won him the African Player of the year award in 1987, before he retired in 1992 at the age of 34.
Mourad Slatni
Born on February 05, 1966 in Annaba, Mourad Slatni, had a brief history with the Algerian National football team.
His club career rotated around Hamra Annaba, UMS Annaba, MC Alger, CR Belouizard and RC Kouba.
Slatni made 15 appearances as a centre back for Algeria between 1995 and 1996. His first match with the Desert Foxes was on July 14, 1995 against Egypt, while his last game came a year later, in June 1996, against Kenya.
Source: Confederation of African Football