Amine Gouiri leaves Algeria squad after Zambia injury

Amine Gouiri will leave Algeria’s squad after suffering a quadriceps injury during the 3-1 win over Zambia, dealing the national team another absence before their next match.

The Olympique de Marseille striker was forced off after only 15 minutes of the victory after picking up the injury to his left quadriceps.

Initial assessments raised concerns that Gouiri could miss the remainder of Algeria’s training camp, and further medical examinations on Saturday morning have now confirmed that he will not be available for the next match.

Gouiri will therefore miss Algeria’s trip to face Burundi on Tuesday.

The player, who started against Zambia, will return to Marseille to continue his treatment after the Algerian staff decided to release him from the national team camp.

His return to the French city is expected on Saturday evening.

Gouiri’s injury adds to the difficulties facing Algeria during the current international gathering, with the striker now becoming the second player to leave the squad before the end of the camp.

Rayan Aït-Nouri had already departed the group after being sidelined for disciplinary reasons.

Gouiri’s absence means Algeria will now have to prepare for the Burundi match without one of the players who featured from the start in their victory over Zambia.

The Marseille forward had been involved in the match before his injury forced him out early, with his condition requiring further assessment before a decision was made on whether he could remain with the national team.

Those examinations on Saturday morning confirmed that he would not be able to continue with the squad.

The decision was subsequently taken for Gouiri to return to his club, where he will continue his recovery.

His departure leaves Algeria with another change to manage before Tuesday’s match against Burundi, while the national team prepares to continue its campaign without the injured forward.

After Aït-Nouri , Gouiri thus becomes the second player to leave the Algerian gathering before its end.