Algeria coach Hemdani urges patience over young dual-national players

The battle to recruit dual-national players remains a major priority for Algeria, with new coach Brahim Hemdani confirming that his staff are already working on several cases while warning that teenagers should not be rushed into making a decision with long-term consequences.

The issue has become particularly prominent with the emergence of several players eligible to represent the Fennecs. Among them is 16-year-old Mezian Mesloub, who is already at the centre of interest from several national teams.

The son of former Algeria international Walid Mesloub, the attacking midfielder is eligible to play for Algeria, France or Portugal and currently represents Portugal at youth level.

Hemdani did not name any player during his first news conference as Algeria manager, but acknowledged that significant work was taking place behind the scenes.

“There are a number of players who have a choice between several national teams. Last week, we spent a lot of time on these cases and we are trying to convince them. It is a complicated process, but we will do everything we can.”

His comments come as the Federation Algerienne de Football (FAF) seeks to strengthen its approach to dual-national players. In Mesloub’s case, a second contact with his representatives is understood to have taken place recently, although it did not result in an agreement.

According to the latest information available, the teenager currently wants to continue his development with Portugal’s youth sides before making a decision about his senior international future.

That stance reflects a wider point made by Hemdani about the difficulty of asking very young players to choose permanently between countries to which they may feel connected.

“At that age, they are not necessarily mature enough to decide,” the coach said.

Mesloub’s situation illustrates the challenge. At only 16, he already has three federations potentially interested in his international future, even though his professional career is still at an early stage.

Algeria does have particular arguments in the case. His father, Walid Mesloub, won seven caps for the Fennecs. Riyad Mahrez, who knows the former player from their time together at Le Havre, is also understood to be a figure greatly admired by the teenager.

The possibility of involving the former Algeria captain to help facilitate discussions with the family has been raised, although there has been no confirmation that Mahrez has intervened.

For Hemdani, the task is to strike the right balance: explain Algeria’s plans and make players feel wanted without turning an international choice into a rushed decision.

The FAF is aware that time may work against it when other major federations move quickly for certain players. However, with someone as young as Mesloub, seeking an immediate and definitive answer could also prove counterproductive.

Hemdani’s message is clear: Algeria will continue trying to persuade its dual-national players, but some cases will require patience.