Algeria call up Adem Zorgane after fourth withdrawal before Togo qualifiers

The Algeria squad has suffered a fourth withdrawal ahead of the two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Togo, with Hicham Boudaoui ruled out because of back pain.

The first meeting will take place in Tizi-Ouzou on 14 November, with the return fixture scheduled for 17 November in Lome. The games form part of the third and fourth rounds of the qualifying campaign.

Boudaoui had returned to the national team after being left out during September and October at the selector’s request. However, the OGC Nice midfielder will now leave the Algeria camp and return to his club to continue treatment.

His absence adds to a growing list of unavailable players for the Fennecs. Goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane has withdrawn following the death of his father, while Bachir Belloumi and Jaouen Hadjam are both out through injury.

Adem Zorgane has been called up to replace Boudaoui. The Royale Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder receives a second successive invitation after making his return to the Algeria squad in late September.

Zorgane’s comeback came eight months after he featured at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 under former coach Vladimir Petkovic. He is the third player to be added to the squad for the upcoming fixtures, following Rayane Yesli of Olympique Akbou and Fahem Benaissa-Yahia of Mantova.

The latest change leaves Algeria preparing for the Togo double-header with several alterations to the original squad selected by Brahim Hemdani. The federation confirmed Boudaoui’s withdrawal less than five days before the opening match in Tizi-Ouzou.

Zorgane will therefore join the squad as Algeria seek to manage the latest disruption before the two qualifying fixtures. The second match will be played in Lome three days after the meeting in Tizi-Ouzou.