Baghdad Bounedjah faces competition for Algeria return

Baghdad Bounedjah’s prospects of returning to the Algeria squad appear to have weakened, with three forwards now seemingly ahead of the experienced striker in the selection order.

Algeria are due to face Togo in Tizi-Ouzou on 14 November before travelling to Lome for the return fixture on 17 November. The matches will be the third and fourth rounds of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bounedjah had been expected to have a strong chance of being recalled for the upcoming international window. However, Amine Gouiri of OM, Amin Chiakha of Rosenborg and Nadir Benbouali of Pyramids are now understood to be better placed to secure selection.

Benbouali, in particular, could be in line for a return after a brief absence during September and October.

The 34-year-old Bounedjah, who turns 35 on 24 November, has continued to produce for Al-Shamal this season. He has scored five goals and provided one assist in eight appearances, but that run of form and his regular involvement have apparently not been enough to move him back into Algeria contention.

A few weeks ago, Dzair Foot reported that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner could return to the national team provided he was considered physically ready.

Bounedjah was dropped by former Algeria manager Vladimir Petkovic after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations because of behaviour regarded as anxiety-inducing. He was subsequently left out of the squad for the 2026 World Cup and was also omitted from Brahim Hemdani’s first selection.

His most recent appearance for the Fennecs came in the quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Nigeria. Algeria lost 2-0 on 10 January in Marrakech, Morocco, with Bounedjah entering the match for the final half-hour.

The Oran-born forward has won 86 caps and is Algeria’s third-highest scorer, with 35 goals. Only Riyad Mahrez, on 40, and record goalscorer Islam Slimani, who has scored 46 times, have found the net more often for the national team.