Algerian national team coach Brahim Hemdani has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming matches against Togo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The matches are scheduled for November 14 and 17. Notably, Luca Zidane, son of legendary French footballer Zinedine Zidane, has not been included in the squad. Zidane had missed several recent matches due to suspension but was expected to return to the team. Hemdani's decision has been attributed to prioritizing players with the most playing time.
Another notable absence from the squad is Rayan Aït Nouri, who was involved in a disciplinary incident during the last training camp. Aït Nouri's absence appears to be a consequence of his actions, although it may also be related to his limited playing time at Manchester City. The squad includes two new players, Mohamed Azzi and Abderrahmane Rebbach, who have been called up for the first time. Several players who were absent from the last training camp have been recalled to the team.
Hemdani has selected three goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil, and Abderrahmane Ramdane. Benbot's inclusion marks his return to the team after being dropped following the World Cup. He replaces Killian Bellazoug in the squad. In a press conference, Hemdani explained that his selection was based on a sporting criterion, specifically the amount of playing time each player has had recently.
The defense has seen some changes, with Chergui, Redouani, and Aït Nouri being left out. Rafik Belghali, who was absent from the last training camp due to suspension, has been recalled. Mohamed Azzi, a defender from CSKA Moscow, has been called up for the first time. The midfield has been boosted by the returns of Nabil Bentaleb and Hicham Boudaoui, who have recovered from injuries.
Abderrahmane Rebbach, from Deportivo Alavés, has also been called up for the first time. Yacine Titraoui has returned to the team, while Aouchiche and Zorgane have been left out. The attack has seen one change, with Ghedjemis replacing Kebbal. The rest of the attacking lineup remains unchanged, featuring players like Amoura, Bakrar, Boulbina, Gouiri, Chiakha, Hadj Moussa, and Belloumi.
Hemdani's decision to exclude Luca Zidane has been attributed to his limited playing time. The coach emphasized that he needed goalkeepers with the most playing time. This decision leaves the door open for Zidane's potential return in future training camps. The team's strategy and player selection will be crucial in their upcoming matches against Togo.
The Algerian national team will face Togo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on November 14 and 17. The team's performance in these matches will be important in determining their chances of advancing in the qualifiers. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and new faces, and the team's dynamics will be interesting to watch in the upcoming matches.
Key points
- Algerian national team coach Brahim Hemdani has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming matches against Togo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
- Luca Zidane and Rayan Aït Nouri have not been included in the squad due to various reasons.
- The team includes two new players, Mohamed Azzi and Abderrahmane Rebbach, who have been called up for the first time.
