2027 AFCON Qualifiers: ‘Respecting the team structure’ – Brahim Hemdani reveals why Rayan Ait-Nouri missed Algeria call-up

Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani has defended his decision to leave Manchester City defender Rayan Aït-Nouri out of his squad for November’s AFCON qualifiers, describing the decision as logical following the player’s reported misconduct during the previous international break.

The 25-year-old has been omitted from Algeria’s squad for their upcoming double-header against Togo after his behaviour during September’s international window reportedly caused tension within the national team camp.

Aït-Nouri’s omission comes amid an increasingly difficult spell at Manchester City, where regular first-team opportunities have been hard to come by since his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 2025.

The left-back had hoped to use international duty to gain valuable playing time but instead found himself at the centre of controversy after reacting angrily to a decision by Hemdani during Algeria’s 3-1 victory over Zambia.

The defender was reportedly unhappy after being overlooked for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jaouen Hadjam, who was selected ahead of him in the starting line-up.

Although Hemdani initially considered introducing Aït-Nouri during the encounter, he changed his mind after Zambia scored an equaliser.

The situation reportedly deteriorated after Algeria regained the lead, with the Manchester City defender refusing to come off the bench when called upon.

He was also involved in disagreements with members of the coaching staff and some of his teammates, creating further tension within the squad.

The incident did not end there, as Aït-Nouri reportedly requested to leave the national team camp and subsequently withdrew himself from the group a few days later.

Hemdani explains decision to drop Manchester City defender

Announcing his squad for the November international fixtures, Hemdani made it clear that regular club football and respect for the team’s structure are fundamental requirements for earning a place in the Algerian national team.

The manager’s comments suggest that Aït-Nouri’s recent conduct has played a significant role in his omission, although his limited involvement at Manchester City is also a consideration.

“There are two essential conditions for making the Algerian national team: playing regularly for his club and respecting the clearly defined team structure,” he said, as reported by Fennec Football.

Hemdani insisted that leaving the defender out was a reasonable decision under the circumstances but stressed that the situation does not represent a permanent exclusion from the national team.

“The decision made regarding Aït-Nouri is logical in the current context, but the doors remain open. No one is definitively excluded,” he explained.

“We continue to monitor him. I know what this player has brought to Algeria, but not calling him up remains, above all, a tactical decision.”

The manager’s remarks leave room for a possible return, although the defender will need to address the concerns surrounding his commitment to the national team setup.

Manchester City struggles compound Aït-Nouri’s problems

Aït-Nouri’s international setback adds to an underwhelming start to his Manchester City career.

After joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 2025, the Algerian defender struggled to establish himself as a regular starter during his debut campaign, largely operating as a backup option.

His situation has become more complicated this season following the arrival of Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola in the summer.

The 25-year-old has managed just 168 minutes across four appearances in all competitions, with 135 of those coming in the EFL Cup.

He is yet to feature in the Premier League this season, highlighting the difficulty he faces in securing a regular place in the team.

With limited opportunities at club level and his relationship with the Algerian coaching staff requiring attention, Aït-Nouri faces an important period in his career.

A move away from Manchester City during the January transfer window could become an option if his playing time does not improve.