Algeria U23: Saifi builds Olympic hopes around Mediterranean Games winners

Rafik Saifi is assembling an Algeria U23 side that combines the players who won gold at the Mediterranean Games with a growing group of promising talents based abroad.

The team will face South Africa in two friendlies on 30 September and 3 October, as Saifi assesses his options ahead of Algeria’s first competitive fixtures. It is too early to describe the group as an exceptional generation, with the squad yet to face the test of qualification, but the emerging blend of local and overseas-based players offers plenty to follow.

Several members of the U21 team that triumphed at the Mediterranean Games have strengthened the Olympic-age squad. Algeria beat Morocco on penalties before claiming gold in Taranto, with a number of players making a strong impression during the tournament.

Captain Issam Naim, midfielder Salah Eddine Bouziani and Ben Ahmed Kouhili, who scored twice in the final against Tunisia, now share the experience of winning a major title together. Lahlou Akhrib and Mohamed Bouderbala also stood out during the competition.

Saifi is already familiar with some of those players, having previously selected them for the U23 team. His task will be to turn their individual ability into a side capable of handling knockout football.

Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui, who moved from Paradou to USM Alger this summer, could add further attacking strength. Yakoub Gassi, a MC Alger full-back, was also involved in the most recent training camp.

Overseas options add to Saifi’s squad

The pool of players based outside Algeria increases the competition for places. Adil Bourabaa has attracted attention in Ligue 1 with Le Mans, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists, while Kail Boudache and Rayan Kolli have already been included in Saifi’s groups.

Boudache was called up after choosing to represent Algeria. Now with Lyon, he was forced to leave the June camp because of injury and is still waiting to make his U23 debut. His recent comments, in which he said he dreamed of playing at a World Cup with Algeria, nevertheless underline his commitment to the national team.

Yanis Senhadji, who won the U19 European Championship with Spain, has also been selected for the camp in South Africa. Anis Ouzenadji, a left-back at Troyes, who have been promoted to Ligue 1, has been mentioned as a possible addition, although he should not yet be considered an established member of the squad.

Algeria have been given a bye into the second round of qualifying and will meet the winner of Malawi–Eswatini in November. Should they progress, a final round awaits in March 2027, with a potential U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt serving as the route towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The stakes are significant for a country that has appeared in the Olympic football tournament only twice, in 1980 and 2016.

Qualification remains far from certain. The upcoming friendlies will give Saifi the chance to develop an understanding between the Taranto champions, established U23 players and newcomers as Algeria’s senior team begins a new cycle.