Algeria lose Saadi Radouani before Niger friendly

Algeria have suffered another withdrawal from their squad on the eve of Tuesday’s international friendly against Niger.

Right-back Saadi Radouani has left the national-team camp after apparently suffering an injury in training, according to El-Heddaf TV. The 31-year-old USM Alger captain has five international caps.

The Fennecs will face Niger at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou in their final match of the international break.

Radouani had been restored to the Algeria set-up for Brahim Hemdani’s first matches in charge, having waited two years for another opportunity with the national team. His previous appearance had come in October 2024 under former manager Vladimir Petkovic.

The former JS Kabylie player started Algeria’s opening two matches in the CAN 2027 qualifying campaign. He played 89 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Zambia on 25 September in Tizi-Ouzou before completing the full match in the 2-2 draw against Burundi four days later in Bujumbura.

His departure adds to a growing list of absentees for Hemdani.

Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent home following his clash with the manager, while Nabil Bentaleb withdrew before the squad gathered. Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa and Adem Zorgane are also unavailable.

There is better news regarding Himad Abdelli and Samir Chergui, who had previously been considered doubts but took part in the latest collective training session and are now available for selection.

Ramy Bensebaini is also fit to play after being the subject of a false rumour several days ago.

The match against Niger will bring Algeria’s international break to a close, with Radouani’s absence leaving Hemdani without one of the players who started both of the team’s first two CAN 2027 qualifying fixtures.