Ali Fergani
Ali Fergani | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 21, 1952 Algeria |
| Occupation(s) | Football player, football coach |
| Years active | 1970s–2000s |
| Known for | Midfielder for Algeria national team, coach of Algeria national team |
Ali Fergani () (born 21 September 1952) is a former Algerian midfielder and current football coach, recognized for his role as a creative playmaker. Over a span of 13 years, he was a regular figure in the Algeria national team lineup.
Playing career
During his professional playing days, Fergani was affiliated with NA Hussein Dey and JS Kabylie (previously known as JE Tizi-Ouzou). He took part in the 1980 Summer Olympics representing Algeria and competed in the 1982 FIFA World Cup held in Spain. In 1981, he secured third place in the African Footballer of the Year rankings.
Managerial career
Following his playing retirement, Fergani moved into coaching, initially taking on the role of assistant coach for the Algeria national team and later becoming the head coach of his former club JS Kabylie. He notably guided Algeria to triumph in the 1990 African Cup of Nations hosted on home ground. He was reappointed as Algeria’s head coach in 1995 but was dismissed in 1996 after a loss against Kenya.
After his national team stint, Fergani took charge of several Tunisian teams such as Club Athletic Bizertin, Union Sportive Monastir, and Stade Tunisien. Following the departure of Robert Waseige, he once again assumed leadership of the Algeria national squad.
In 2007, Fergani briefly led the Mauritania national football team under an unofficial agreement. On 10 October 2011, he was named manager of the Algeria A' national team.