Algeria's U23 football team has been hit with disciplinary issues just days before their departure to South Africa for a training camp. Abdelmalek Kelaleche, a midfielder from CR Belouizdad, has been excluded from the team due to an incident during a training session in Algiers. The team's management took swift action, asking Kelaleche to leave the training center and return to his club. This decision comes on the heels of a similar incident involving Rayan Aït-Nouri, who was excluded from the senior national team for disciplinary reasons.
Kelaleche's exclusion was reportedly due to his refusal to apologize for his actions, which led to tension between him and the coaching staff. Several senior players attempted to mediate the situation, but their efforts were unsuccessful. As a result, Kelaleche was told to pack his bags and leave the training center immediately. His place in the team has been taken by Abdelaziz Kahia, also from CR Belouizdad. The incident has raised questions about the team's preparation for the upcoming CAN U23 2027 qualifiers.
The Algeria U23 team is set to depart for Durban, South Africa, where they will undergo a week-long training camp from September 28 to October 5. The team will play two friendly matches against South Africa on October 1 and 4. The training camp is part of the team's preparations for the CAN U23 2027 qualifiers, which serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team's coach, Brahim Hemdani, has made it clear that discipline is a top priority.
This is not an isolated incident, as the senior national team also faced a similar situation recently. Rayan Aït-Nouri was excluded from the team for his behavior during a match against Zambia. The incident highlights the Algerian Football Federation's (FAF) commitment to enforcing discipline across all national teams. The FAF has made it clear that no player is above the law, regardless of their experience or status.
The exclusion of Kelaleche and Aït-Nouri demonstrates the FAF's resolve to maintain discipline and team cohesion. The federation has emphasized that the collective interest of the team takes precedence over individual interests. This approach is seen as a positive step towards building a strong and cohesive team.
In addition to Kelaleche, Mohamed Lamine Ramdaoui has also left the team due to injury. Ramdaoui's place has been taken by Mohamed Bouderbala from USM Alger. The team's management is working to ensure that the team is fully prepared for the upcoming qualifiers.
The Algeria U23 team's training camp in South Africa will provide an opportunity for the team to fine-tune their skills and build their cohesion ahead of the CAN U23 2027 qualifiers. The team's performance in the qualifiers will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.
Key points
- Algeria's U23 team faces disciplinary issues ahead of their South Africa tour.
- Abdelmalek Kelaleche excluded from team due to disciplinary reasons.
- Team's coach emphasizes discipline as a top priority.
