Ahmed Khaldi strengthens Algeria case after starring in USM Alger’s African triumph

Ahmed Khaldi delivered another decisive performance in a major final as USM Alger defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in Pretoria, adding fresh weight to calls for the winger to be included in the Algeria squad.

Khaldi played a central role in USM Alger’s fourth African title. He set up Zakaria Draoui for the opening goal after only four minutes, produced a superb curled finish for the third, and was subsequently named the Confederation of African Football’s player of the match.

It was an outstanding stage on which to underline his importance to the Rouge et Noir, but the display was far from an isolated success.

The Khenchela-born player had already scored against CR Belouizdad in each of the previous two Algerian Cup finals. In May, he also found the net against Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final.

That makes four finals in which Khaldi has produced a decisive contribution. The 3-1 victory at Loftus Versfeld, against one of Africa’s leading clubs on its own ground, added extra significance to a performance in which he combined effectiveness with style.

Khaldi has also had to recover from an injury which disrupted the beginning of his season. Against Mamelodi Sundowns, however, he showed the explosiveness and precision that have made him such an influential player, as well as the ability to change the course of an important match.

The question now is whether his form will be enough to convince Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani.

Competition for places in the national team’s attacking wide positions is strong, while Khaldi is not regarded as a long-term prospect. Even so, his performances since the end of last season would appear to have earned him at least an opportunity to prove himself at international level.

The selection of his USM Alger team-mate Saadi Radouani for the previous squad demonstrates that players from the domestic league are not entirely overlooked. However, it also reinforces the impression that the Algerian championship remains a secondary source for Hemdani, behind players based abroad.

Khaldi’s situation evokes a familiar frustration at USM Alger. During the 1990s, Hadj Adlane scored prolifically without receiving the recognition he hoped for with Algeria. A decade later, Issaad Bourahli similarly dominated the domestic league for an extended period without establishing himself in the national team.

The same argument could be applied to Mohamed Amine Ramdaoui. His performances for USM Alger might have justified a trial with Algeria, particularly while Monsef Bakrar continues to struggle to convince at international level. Rewarding the players in the best form, rather than selecting expatriates who offer no greater guarantees, would be the stronger approach.

Khaldi could hardly have made a more compelling case. As the hero of USM Alger’s latest continental triumph, decisive in four finals and effective away from Algeria, he has supplied Hemdani with a substantial list of arguments.

The manager remains solely responsible for his squad, but overlooking performances of this quality would become increasingly difficult to justify.