French magazine Onze Mondial has reported that Algeria is facing a serious tactical headache just 48 hours before their anticipated Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Nigeria, with key midfielder Ismael Bennacer now a major doubt.
The AC Milan player, currently on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, left the pitch in tears during the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo after feeling pain in his hamstring.
Initial medical tests suggest he is unlikely to be fit in time for Saturday’s showdown in Marrakech, and coach Vladimir Petković is thought to be unwilling to risk him for fear of aggravating the injury. Muscle problems of this type typically require around ten days of rest, which would rule Bennacer out of the quarter-final even in an optimistic scenario.
The Algerian coaching staff are now weighing up their options to replace their maestro in midfield. Farès Chaïbi and Hammad Al-Abdali are emerging as the leading candidates to step into the starting lineup, while Hicham Boudaoui or Ramiz Zerrouki could also be drafted in to plug the gap left by Bennacer’s possible absence.
