Algeria striker Nadhir Benbouali suffers fresh injury setback after scoring for Pyramids

Nadhir Benbouali’s hopes of returning to the Algeria national team have suffered another setback after the striker scored for Pyramids before leaving the pitch with a suspected hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old came off the bench in the 66th minute of Pyramids’ 4-0 victory over Al-Merrikh Bentiu in the second preliminary round of the African Champions League on Saturday. He found the net just five minutes after coming on but was forced off injured around the 77th minute.

Pyramids had already used all their available substitutions and were unable to replace the forward, leaving them to complete the match with 10 players despite their comfortable lead.

The injury comes at a particularly difficult time for Benbouali, who had started to rediscover his form after a challenging beginning to his spell in Egypt. His recent performances had raised hopes that he could return to the Algeria squad, but the latest setback threatens to delay that prospect.

Benbouali faces third injury in 70 days

Pyramids’ medical team initially suspected a hamstring tear, although further examinations will be required to establish the full extent of the damage.

The results of those tests will determine how long the striker is expected to remain unavailable. With no confirmed recovery timeline, his chances of joining Algeria for the November international gathering appear increasingly slim.

The suspected injury would be his third in approximately 70 days since moving to Egypt, extending a difficult period that has repeatedly interrupted his progress.

Benbouali was already carrying an injury before leaving Gyor and suffered another setback after just 27 minutes of his debut against El Gouna. Those problems prevented him from featuring during the first international break of the season.

However, his latest run of form had suggested that he was finally putting those difficulties behind him. Three goals in four appearances had helped restore his confidence and strengthened his case for another opportunity with the national team.

His goal against Al-Merrikh appeared to offer further evidence of his improving form. Instead, the injury has raised fresh concerns about his fitness and ability to maintain consistency.

Algeria recall hopes suffer another blow

The setback also complicates the plans of Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani, who continues to look for a reliable centre-forward.

Benbouali had emerged as a possible option after demonstrating his qualities at the World Cup, where he scored an important goal against Jordan. Although his decision to leave European football for Egypt had raised questions, Monsef Bakrar’s presence at Al-Ahly has shown that playing in the Egyptian league does not necessarily prevent a forward from attracting national team attention.

Benbouali offers a different profile in attack, combining physical strength with his ability to hold up the ball, compete with defenders and make his presence felt inside the penalty area. His style has drawn comparisons with Baghdad Bounedjah.

Those qualities could have made him a useful addition to Algeria’s attack, particularly as Bakrar has yet to fully convince and Amin Chiakha continues to work towards establishing himself at international level.

His recent scoring record had put him back into contention ahead of Algeria’s two matches against Togo. However, the latest injury threatens to derail that progress before he can make his case for selection.

Even if the injury proves relatively minor, Benbouali will need time to recover, regain match fitness and demonstrate that he can remain available consistently.

His performances had begun to suggest that he could provide Algeria with another option in attack. For now, however, his recurring fitness problems have interrupted his momentum just as the opportunity to return to the national team appeared to be within reach.Nadhir Benbouali’s hopes of returning to the Algeria national team have suffered another setback after the striker scored for Pyramids before leaving the pitch with a suspected hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old came off the bench in the 66th minute of Pyramids’ 4-0 victory over Al-Merrikh Bentiu in the second preliminary round of the African Champions League on Saturday. He found the net just five minutes after coming on but was forced off injured around the 77th minute.

Pyramids had already used all their available substitutions and were unable to replace the forward, leaving them to complete the match with 10 players despite their comfortable lead.

The injury comes at a particularly difficult time for Benbouali, who had started to rediscover his form after a challenging beginning to his spell in Egypt. His recent performances had raised hopes that he could return to the Algeria squad, but the latest setback threatens to delay that prospect.

Benbouali faces third injury in 70 days

Pyramids’ medical team initially suspected a hamstring tear, although further examinations will be required to establish the full extent of the damage.

The results of those tests will determine how long the striker is expected to remain unavailable. With no confirmed recovery timeline, his chances of joining Algeria for the November international gathering appear increasingly slim.

The suspected injury would be his third in approximately 70 days since moving to Egypt, extending a difficult period that has repeatedly interrupted his progress.

Benbouali was already carrying an injury before leaving Gyor and suffered another setback after just 27 minutes of his debut against El Gouna. Those problems prevented him from featuring during the first international break of the season.

However, his latest run of form had suggested that he was finally putting those difficulties behind him. Three goals in four appearances had helped restore his confidence and strengthened his case for another opportunity with the national team.

His goal against Al-Merrikh appeared to offer further evidence of his improving form. Instead, the injury has raised fresh concerns about his fitness and ability to maintain consistency.

Algeria recall hopes suffer another blow

The setback also complicates the plans of Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani, who continues to look for a reliable centre-forward.

Benbouali had emerged as a possible option after demonstrating his qualities at the World Cup, where he scored an important goal against Jordan. Although his decision to leave European football for Egypt had raised questions, Monsef Bakrar’s presence at Al-Ahly has shown that playing in the Egyptian league does not necessarily prevent a forward from attracting national team attention.

Benbouali offers a different profile in attack, combining physical strength with his ability to hold up the ball, compete with defenders and make his presence felt inside the penalty area. His style has drawn comparisons with Baghdad Bounedjah.

Those qualities could have made him a useful addition to Algeria’s attack, particularly as Bakrar has yet to fully convince and Amin Chiakha continues to work towards establishing himself at international level.

His recent scoring record had put him back into contention ahead of Algeria’s two matches against Togo. However, the latest injury threatens to derail that progress before he can make his case for selection.

Even if the injury proves relatively minor, Benbouali will need time to recover, regain match fitness and demonstrate that he can remain available consistently.

His performances had begun to suggest that he could provide Algeria with another option in attack. For now, however, his recurring fitness problems have interrupted his momentum just as the opportunity to return to the national team appeared to be within reach.