Algeria U23: Saifi calls up five new dual nationals as Boudache returns

Rafik Saifi has named his Algeria U23 squad for the first international camp of the season, with five dual nationals receiving their first call-ups and Kail Boudache included after an impressive start to the campaign.

The squad will prepare for two friendlies against South Africa on 30 September and 3 October. Saifi has selected a balanced group featuring 11 players from Algeria’s domestic league and about a dozen footballers developing in Europe.

Boudache, the 20-year-old Olympique Lyonnais winger, has been selected for a second successive camp after making his Algeria U23 debut at the end of May and beginning of June. He has made nine appearances this season.

Olympique de Marseille right-back Kelyann Bezahaf, also 20, has retained his place, as has Adil Bourabaa, one of the early-season highlights at Le Mans.

Bourabaa has produced five attacking contributions in five appearances for Le Mans, scoring three goals and providing two assists. The 21-year-old midfielder is currently among the most decisive players of the Ligue 1 season alongside Lassine Sinayoko, Kamory Doumbia and Florian Thauvin.

Five dual-nationality debutants

The five players receiving their first Algeria U23 call-ups include striker Yanis Senhadji, who is 21 and plays for Real Jaen in Spain’s third division.

Senhadji helped Spain win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship two years ago, but chose Algeria a few days ago.

Troyes left-back Anis Ouzenadji, 19, has also made a permanent decision to move on from France, having represented the country at Under-19 level. He has established himself as a regular starter at the beginning of this season and made his fifth start in five Ligue 1 matches on Saturday, also supplying an assist.

The new additions are completed by centre-back Gaetan Bakhouche, 21, who plays for Toulouse’s reserve team and was regularly called into the senior squad last season without making an appearance; striker Karim Boutera, 21, of Degerfors; and Amiens forward Islam Ramla, who plays in Ligue 3.

Among the domestic-based players is MC Alger striker Ben Ahmed Kohili. The 21-year-old won a gold medal and finished as the leading scorer at the Mediterranean Games last month.

Kohili will also make his Algeria U23 debut after previously representing the country at Under-20 and Under-21 level.

Saifi’s selection brings together an emerging generation of Algerian players as the country looks towards the Olympic Games.