Algeria strengthens Petkovic’s staff one month before AFCON

Africa 11 November 2025 at 05:14

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

Just over a month ahead of the kickoff for AFCON 2025, the Algerian Football Federation has officially announced a major addition to Vladimir Petkovic’s staff. Italian coach Guido Nanni, formerly the goalkeeping coach at AS Roma, is joining the technical team of the Fennecs to support Azzedine Berarma in preparing the goalkeepers. This appointment confirms the determination of both the head coach and president Walid Sadi to bolster the backroom staff ahead of a crucial tournament.

An experienced profile at the service of the Fennecs

At 57 years old and hailing from Rome, Guido Nanni boasts a solid résumé. A former professional goalkeeper, he played for several Italian clubs before moving into coaching. His standout years came at AS Roma (2010–2016), where he worked under esteemed managers such as Luis Enrique, Rudi Garcia, Luciano Spalletti, and Claudio Ranieri. Nanni then continued his career with Pescara, Al-Nassr, and Palermo, developing a modern approach to goalkeeping based on technology and video analysis.

Free since his spell at Palermo ended last June, he will officially begin his duties during the upcoming friendlies against Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for November 13 and 18 in Jeddah. Nanni’s arrival is part of Petkovic’s strategy to further professionalize the staff, relying on Italian expertise to help the national team reach new heights. The clear objective: a successful AFCON campaign and a strong foundation for the 2026 World Cup.

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