With less than a month remaining before the commencement of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON-2023), a quartet of key players, including Amoura, Bentaleb, Mandi, and Aït-Nouri, has provided a reassurance to coach Djamel Belmadi, allaying concerns and instilling confidence in the national team’s prospects.
Mandi and Aït-Nouri, in particular, have been under the spotlight due to recent injuries, notably Mandi’s ankle injury during the World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique in November.
Fears of his absence from the upcoming football extravaganza were widespread.
However, Mandi made a comeback against Real Madrid, displaying commendable performance despite the team’s 4-1 defeat.
With one more match against Celta Vigo on December 20, Mandi aims to accumulate more playing time before gearing up for the AFCON. Aït-Nouri, who suffered a similar injury, also returned to action with Wolverhampton.
Despite a 3-0 defeat against West Ham, Aït-Nouri showcased defensive resilience and offensive prowess, making him a pivotal asset for the national team alongside Atal.
Nabil Bentaleb, whose form had raised concerns, exhibited a stellar performance against Paris SG, quelling doubts about his readiness for the African Cup.
The Algerian midfielder, confident and consistent throughout the match, garnered a rating of 8/10 from specialist media, earning the title of the match’s standout player.
Meanwhile, Mohamed El-Amine Amoura continues to make headlines with his consistent goal-scoring prowess. The Algerian striker, playing for Union Saint-Gilloise, secured yet another victory with a 1-0 scoreline against Mechelen, contributing his 12th league goal of the season.
As the quartet demonstrates their peak form with noteworthy performances in their respective clubs, anticipation and optimism among supporters and coach Djamel Belmadi soar, setting a positive tone for Algeria’s campaign in the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
