Algeria A’ team coach Madjid Bougherra may have handed senior team boss Vladimir Petkovic a timely tactical gift, unveiling a promising central defensive pairing in Adam Alilet of USM Alger and MC Alger’s Ayoub Ghazala.
For years, the centre-back position has been a persistent source of concern for successive Algerian managers.
Despite the continued presence of experienced names such as Aïssa Mandi—whose performances have declined—and Rami Bensebaïni, often fielded in central defence out of necessity rather than preference, Algeria’s backline has suffered from a lack of genuine competition and fresh alternatives.
The assured performance of Alilet and Ghazala in the recent outing against Uganda has now offered a glimmer of optimism for a much-needed overhaul at the back.
Should the duo maintain their momentum throughout the African Nations Championship (CHAN), they may soon force their way into the plans of Petkovic.
At 29, Ayoub Ghazala provides a dependable short-term option with the maturity to immediately contribute, while 26-year-old Alilet presents a profile suitable for long-term integration into the senior setup.
Both players exemplify the untapped potential within Algeria’s domestic league, a fact often overshadowed by the emphasis placed on Europe-based talents.
The precedent exists. Rafik Halliche and Essaïd Belkalem, both locally developed defenders, formed a solid pairing at the 2014 World Cup under Vahid Halilhodzic.
Their success eventually led to notable club careers abroad, reinforcing the notion that the Algerian Ligue 1 is more than capable of producing elite-level talent.
Currently, the majority of the national team is drawn from the diaspora, with key figures such as Ismaël Bennacer, Houssem Aouar, Farès Chaïbi, and Rayan Aït-Nouri all trained in European academies.
However, there is growing recognition that the domestic league can also provide solutions, as evidenced by the progress of former Ligue 1 talents like Baghdad Bounedjah, Ramy Bensebaïni, Youcef Atal, and Mohamed Amoura—though they remain exceptions rather than the norm.
In this context, Bougherra’s approach appears aligned with a broader long-term strategy developed in tandem with Petkovic: building a local core capable of gradually integrating into the senior national team.
The CHAN has therefore become an essential scouting platform at a time when competition for national team places is fiercer than ever.
If Alilet and Ghazala continue to perform with the same authority, they may soon become a cornerstone of Algeria’s defence, providing the stability and assurance the national team has long lacked.
The decision now rests with Petkovic, who may have finally found the solution to a longstanding dilemma.
