FORMER Saint Djamel Belmadi saw his heavily-fancied Algeria side crash out of the African Cup of Nations without a win last night.

The former playmaker led the Northern African country to victory in the tournament during the 2019 edition of the competition, but this time around his side offered little in defence of their title.

In a must win match against the Ivory Coast, Algeria instead slumped to a 3-1 defeat to mark the end of a dismal tournament.

Algeria’s form at this year’s competition is in stark contrast to their 2019 triumph, with Belmadi and co. winning all seven of their fixtures en route to their second ever AFCON win.

Belmadi played 40 times for Saints in an injury plagued two-year spell, initially being handed a one-month contract by Harry Redknapp in 2005. When financial difficulties increased in 2007, the French-born Algerian international was released.

Despite the failure to win a single game at the tournament, it appears Belmadi will be given the chance to qualify for the World Cup later this year.

The Fennec Foxes will have to beat another African country over two-legs in March in order to qualify for this winter’s tournament in Qatar – another country Belmadi managed.