World Cup 2026: Algeria legend Salah Assad identifies key to Mohamed Amoura revival

Algerian striker Mohamed Amoura remains one of the national team’s most dangerous attacking players, but concerns over his recent performances have prompted former Desert Foxes star Salah Assad to offer his assessment of what is preventing the forward from reaching his best level.

Amoura, who plays for German club Wolfsburg, has endured a difficult period marked by inconsistency at club level.

Those struggles have increasingly become apparent during his appearances for Algeria, raising questions about the form of a player who has long been regarded as one of the country’s most effective attacking threats.

Despite the criticism surrounding the 26-year-old, Assad remains convinced that the Algerian international possesses the qualities needed to overcome this challenging spell.

Speaking during a World Cup programme on El Bilad, the former Algeria winger examined the reasons behind Amoura’s decline and highlighted two factors that he believes are affecting the forward’s performances.

According to Assad, the first issue is psychological. He suggested that the difficulties experienced at Wolfsburg have gradually eroded the player’s confidence, leading to frustration and affecting his decision-making during matches.

“We sometimes see him try his luck when a pass seemed like the best option,” the former international observed.

Assad believes this behaviour is not the result of poor awareness but rather an indication that Amoura is searching for a moment capable of restoring his confidence.

In his view, the forward is trying to create the decisive action that will help him regain momentum, even if that approach has not yet delivered the desired outcome.

The former Algeria star also pointed to a tactical aspect of the situation. He argued that Amoura could be more effective if deployed centrally or on the right side of the attack, positions that may allow him to exploit his strengths more efficiently.

However, such a move would not be straightforward. Algeria already possess strong options on the right flank, including captain Riyad Mahrez and fellow winger Anis Hadj Moussa, limiting the alternatives available to coach Vladimir Petkovic.

While Assad identified areas for improvement, he stressed that the player’s recovery ultimately depends on his own ability to rediscover confidence and efficiency.

Amoura’s pace remains one of his greatest assets, and his energetic pressing continues to trouble opposing defences. Those qualities have not disappeared despite his recent struggles.

For Assad, the solution may simply be one decisive contribution — a goal or an assist capable of reigniting the confidence that has temporarily deserted him.

At 26, Amoura still possesses the talent and potential that made him one of Algeria’s most exciting attacking players. The challenge now is to rediscover the form and effectiveness that established him as a key figure for both club and country.