Former Algeria defender Nouredine Kourichi explains Luka Zidane dilemma with Desert Warriors

Former Algeria international Nouredine Kourichi has shed light on the situation surrounding goalkeeper Luka Zidane and his current standing with the national team.

Kourichi, who previously worked on the Algerian staff under coach Vahid Halilhodžić, hopes the Granada keeper can finally solve Algeria’s long-running issues in goal.​

Speaking to the French newspaper L’Equipe, Kourichi highlighted that the main problem for Luka Zidane is not talent, but timing. He stressed that the son of Zinedine Zidane joined coach Vladimir Petković’s squad very late, which left the staff with little opportunity to properly evaluate him in competitive international matches.​

Kourichi noted that if Zidane had chosen Algeria earlier, the team would have had more time to assess him and prepare him as a successor to veteran Rais M’Bolhi, with goalkeeping and central defense being Algeria’s biggest concerns at the moment.

He added that the door is now open for Zidane to claim the number one spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, especially after Alexis Guendouz’s injury, but insisted the keeper must prove on the pitch that he can truly strengthen the Desert Warriors