The Algerian men’s national football team, qualified for the 2026 World Cup, has been shortlisted among the ten nominees for the title of Best African National Team of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards, according to the list released Wednesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Under Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria secured its place at the 2026 World Cup in style, dominating Group G with a seven-point lead ahead of Uganda and Mozambique. The Fennecs also comfortably booked their ticket for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Despite his significant role in the team’s success, Petkovic was surprisingly left out of the nominees for African Coach of the Year.

Alongside Algeria, the nine other national teams vying for the award are Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Morocco U20, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

In the African Club of the Year category, two Algerian clubs made the shortlist: CS Constantine, semifinalist in the CAF Confederation Cup, and CR Belouizdad, which participated in the Champions League group stage.

In the individual categories, former USM Alger striker Ismail Belkacemi (now playing for Al-Ahly SC, Libya) has been nominated for Best African Player Based in Africa. The 32-year-old was instrumental in USMA’s run in the CAF Confederation Cup, scoring five goals and providing two assists.

In contrast, international striker Mohamed Amoura, top scorer of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with ten goals, was not included among the ten nominees for Best African Player Abroad, a notable omission that raised eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Algerian international goalkeeper Chloé Ngazi of Olympique de Marseille has been named among the ten nominees for Best African Women’s Goalkeeper.

Ngazi, 29, has become a cornerstone for both her club and the Algerian national team, known for her consistency and solid performances. She received her first national team call-up in March 2020 for the preliminary round of the 2020 Women’s AFCON qualifiers (later canceled due to COVID-19), and made her official debut in October 2021 under Radia Fertoul, during Algeria’s 14–0 win over Sudan in the 2022 AFCON qualifiers.