 Algeria's performance in the 2019 AFCON qualification, while acceptable, also suffered setback, such as a shocking 0–1 away loss to Benin and two 1–1 draws to less known Gambia, had raised big concerns over Algeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.Thus, Algeria was not expected to become a real contender for the trophy, but mostly expected to go to quarter-finals.In spite of criticisms over Belmadi, Algeria had managed an unthinkable performance, coined to be the best performance of any Algerian team in recent AFCON history.