Algeria’s Taranto gold gives Kohili, Bouziani and Naim a route to senior side

Algeria’s Mediterranean Games triumph has placed three of its promising young players firmly on the radar of the senior national team, although Ben Ahmed Kohili, Salah Eddine Bouziani and Issam Abdelhamid Naim are likely to need more time before making the step up.

Algeria ended a 51-year wait for the Mediterranean Games title by beating Tunisia 2-0 in the final in Taranto. Their previous gold medal had come in Algiers in 1975.

The team, managed by Brahim Hemdani, produced a collective success in which Mohamed Faiz Belgourari, Lahlou Akhrib, Mohamed Bouderbala, goalkeeper Mohamed El Koubi and Walid Kourdi all made important contributions.

But three players stood out above the rest because of their performances, potential and the current needs of the senior Algeria side.

Kohili the attacking standout

Ben Ahmed Kohili was the most obvious individual star. The 20-year-old forward finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals and also supplied one assist.

He delivered when the pressure was greatest, scoring against Morocco in the semi-final before striking twice in the final against Tunisia. His second goal came from long range just seconds after kick-off.

Kohili has recently moved from Paradou to MC Alger. He is a direct attacker who enjoys taking on defenders and has an impressive shot. Some have already compared him with Youcef Belaili, although such comparisons remain premature.

The youngster will need to learn how to control his appetite for provocation while also developing greater power and speed. Competition for places in the senior attack is intense, but his confidence and room for improvement make him a player worth monitoring.

Bouziani brings control

Salah Eddine Bouziani did not produce the biggest statistical numbers, but his consistency made him influential in every match.

Operating in midfield, the new USM Alger player helped Algeria maintain rhythm and structure. He was regularly available for the ball, remained composed under pressure and generally avoided unnecessarily complicated options. His distribution was clean and he contributed to attacks without disrupting the team’s balance.

The 20-year-old became an important on-field link for Hemdani and was close to indispensable during the tournament. Having developed and begun his career at Paradou, his move to USM Alger now offers him the opportunity to progress in an environment with greater public expectations and continental ambitions.

The senior Algeria side has plenty of midfield options, but players who can organise possession without slowing the game down remain valuable. Bouziani has shown that intelligence and could move closer to the senior squad if he continues to develop at club level.

Naim offers defensive opportunity

Issam Abdelhamid Naim may have the clearest route towards senior international football because of Algeria’s current situation.

The central defender captained the side in Taranto and demonstrated confidence and leadership alongside Daniel Mehdid. At 20, the former CR Belouizdad academy player has already completed a solid first season with ES Setif, making 19 professional appearances.

His campaign in Ligue 1 was not flawless, with several youthful errors costing him, but his response at the Mediterranean Games underlined his character.

Naim’s physical presence, ability to distribute from the back and comfort carrying the ball out of defence fit the modern demands of the position. Aissa Mandi’s international retirement and the recent difficulties experienced by several central defenders mean Algeria must begin renewing that area of the team.

Naim is not yet ready to establish himself at senior level, but he may have the most favourable opportunity of the three players.

For now, the trio are more likely to form part of Rafik Saifi’s Algeria Under-23 project, which is focused on the Africa Cup of Nations at that level and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Their development at club level will be decisive. Kohili must establish himself at MC Alger, Bouziani needs to take on greater responsibility at USM Alger, while Naim must build on his progress at ES Setif.

Their success in Italy also serves as evidence that Algerian academies and domestic clubs continue to produce players capable of raising their level in international competition. As the senior team enters a period of significant renewal, occasional call-ups would not be undeserved. After Taranto, Kohili, Bouziani and Naim have earned the right to aim higher.