New Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani has announced his first squad, leaving out Houssem Aouar and Hicham Boudaoui as he prepares for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.
Hemdani’s team will kick off their campaign against Zambia on September 25th before travelling to take on Burundi on the 29th. Following that, they will face Niger in an international friendly match on October 6th.
He selected 26 players for the September international window, keeping veterans like Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Nabil Bentaleb, Mohamed Amoura, and Amine Gouiri.
His decision to omit Aouar and Boudaoui is significant as it marks Hemdani’s first lineup since taking over from Vladimir Petkovic.
Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali are unavailable due to suspension, and Yacine Titraoui is out with an injury. Hemdani aims to implement his ideas while maintaining a strong squad foundation.
In goal, chosen players include Melvin Mastil, Abdelatif Ramdane, and Kilian Belazzoug. Bensebaini leads the defence alongside Aït-Nouri, Zineddine Belaïd, Jaouen Hadjam, and Ahmed Touba, totalling nine defenders.
This international window allows Hemdani to shape the team, focusing on the upcoming 2027 finals while balancing experience with new talent.
Algeria squad
Goalkeepers: Melvin Mastil, Abdelatif Ramdane, Kilian Belazzoug.
Defenders: Achref Abada, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Zineddine Belaïd, Ramy Bensebaini, Samir Chergui, Jaouen Hadjam, Sohaib Naïr, Saâdi Radouani, Ahmed Touba.
Midfielders: Himad Abdelli, Adil Aouchiche, Nabil Bentaleb, Farès Chaïbi, Ibrahim Maza, Adem Zagence.
Forwards: Mohamed Amoura, Monsef Bakrar, Bachir Belloumi, Adil Boulbina, Amin Chiakha, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Ilan Kebbal.
