Algeria can celebrate a new coronation. The under-21 national selection secured, this Sunday, the gold medal in the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games football tournament, following a brilliant victory over Tunisia in the final (2-0). In an ever-special Maghrebi derby, the young Fennecs quickly displayed their ambitions. From the opening minutes of the contest, the Algerians took control of the proceedings and were rewarded by Ahmed Kohili opening the scoring. The Algerian forward perfectly capitalized on an opportunity inside the opposing penalty box to hand a vital lead to his squad. Uplifted by this ideal start, Algeria subsequently showed great maturity. Facing Tunisian attempts, the young Algerians managed to remain solid and disciplined. The Greens’ defense held firm against various rival offensives, while goalkeeper Mohamed El Koubi proved exceptionally inspired. Author of several vital saves, he notably pulled off a superb stop to prevent Tunisia from getting back into the clash. As the Tunisiens attempted to push during the closing minutes, Kouhili came through to definitively seal the fate of the final. Having already scored in the first period, he converted a penalty with cool composure to record his second personal goal and provide a comfortable victory for his side. Thanks to this masterclass performance, Algeria U21 concludes its adventure at the Taranto Mediterranean Games in the finest manner. This gold medal rewards the efforts of a promising generation and likewise confirms the strong momentum of Algerian youth football. Facing Tunisia, the young Fennecs stepped up to the mark in a major fixture, thereby delivering Algeria another title and a cherished memory in this 2026 edition of the Mediterranean Games. Appointed in July, he captures his first title in August, such is the incredible destiny of Brahim Hemdani who has just won the Mediterranean Games with Algeria’s U21 selection.
Brahim Hemdani leads the young Greens toward Mediterranean Gold!
The former international Algerian midfielder, currently 48 years old, is a novice as a manager, possessing under ten years of experience and merely six as head coach. Following a distinguished playing career, notably at Marseille and Glasgow Rangers with two lost UEFA Cup (C3) finals in 2004 and 2008, he launched his bench career only in 2017 in Southern France as an assistant. His initial stint occurred at Cote Bleue in National 2 (Tier 4) alongside Mohamed Sadani, where he guided notably Ilan Kebbal. In 2020 he moved to the Paris region to master the craft at Clairefontaine, while steering the Courbevoie squad competing in the French seventh tier. Once holding his UEFA A license, he became chief manager of Marignane after its merger with Cote Bleue, achieving promotion to the third tier during his inaugural summer season in 2023. The team subsequently suffered two consecutive relegations. Hemdani departed the club in 2025, and a year later, he was surprisingly appointed head of the Algerian U20 selection, following the resignation of Razik Nedder who joined Le Havre as an assistant in French Ligue 1. Barely installed, Hemdani found himself tasked with steering the U21 team at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, without knowing his squad or having time to assemble a new one. Ultimately he achieved the feat of grabbing the Gold medal that had eluded Algeria since 1975. Questions remain regarding this “heist” by the former defensive midfielder and short-lived Algerian international in 2008. The outcome stands: five fixtures, five victories, and a widely earned triumph, but what about the competition? The Algerian selection, assembled largely by assistant Hocine El Orfi, features a mix of domestic players born between 2005 (Akhrib, Kohili), 2006 (Anatouf), and 2007 (El Koubi), similar to most competing sides like Kosovo and Albania defeated in the opening round. Only Italy fielded a vastly younger squad, U18s born between 2009 and 2010, meaning our U21s’ 3-1 victory must be placed in perspective. In the semi-finals, the Greens bested a slightly younger Morocco side (U20, 2007 and 2008) featuring several European-based talents. Finally, the final against Tunisia saw no age disparity, as the Tunisians were all born in 2005. Tactically, the Algerians proved capable, and individually several players stood out, including goalkeeper El Koubi from Paradou and striker Kohili, who transferred from Paradou to MCA this summer. Nevertheless, assessing the full qualities of Brahim Hemdani remains difficult, despite some already projecting him onto a temporary senior national staff. He still has work to complete with the U20s, including AFCON qualifications, where many players from these Mediterranean Games will not feature.
=====Ben Ahmed Kohili, Algeria’s golden hero
Algeria wrapped up its remarkable run with a victory against Tunisia (2-1), securing the gold medal at the 2026 Mediterranean Games. While the coronation represents a collective effort, one individual illuminated the tournament: Ben Ahmed Kohili, the competition’s top scorer. The Algerian forward launched his tally during the group stage. Scoring against Kosovo in the opening victory (2-1), he struck again against host nation Italy, netting the Fennecs’ third goal in the 78th minute (3-1). He went scoreless in the victory over Albania. Kohili then stepped up in decisive matches. In the semi-final against Morocco, he opened the score in the 25th minute prior to the penalty shootout qualification. In the final, he struck in the very first minute against Tunisia, then converted the winning penalty in the 82nd minute.
With five goals across four appearances, the young MC Alger center-forward finishes atop the goalscoring chart. Relatively unknown outside Algeria before the tournament, Kohili leaves the competition with gold around his neck and a reputation now expanded far beyond national borders.