Coach Jamal Belmadi reveals Algeria’s squad for AFCON 2024, marking the return of Benacer and M’Bolhi, while Atal secures a spot, but Benrahma and Delort are notably absent.
Ismael Bennacer, having recuperated from injury, resumes leadership in the Algerian national team’s midfield for the upcoming AFCON 2024, set to take place in Ivory Coast in January and February 2024.
Manager Jamal Belmadi has officially announced “The Greens'” participation, encompassing a blend of experienced players and rising talents.
Bennacer, recently featuring for AC Milan following his recovery from an injury sustained at the end of the previous season, brings a renewed vigor to Algeria’s midfield.
Belmadi’s squad reflects a strategic mix, including key players and some surprises.
Notably, Youcef Atal finds a place in the squad, despite his suspension at Nice in the French league due to his support for the Palestinian cause.
The return of Rais M’Bolhi and Zinedine Belaïd to Belmadi’s list adds depth to the team.
However, the absence of Andy Delort from Al Sailiya in Qatar and Said Benrahma from West Ham in England is conspicuous, along with Adam Zorgane, Badreddine Bouanani, and Mohamed Boucherit.
Leading the attacking front is Islam Slimani, the historic top scorer of the national team, currently playing for Coritiba in Brazil, making him the only player in the tournament from South America.
The squad also features stalwarts like Riyad Mahrez of Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Baghdad Bounedjah from Al-Sadd, and Youcef Belaïli of MC Alger, alongside other fundamental members of the squad.
The announced roster includes:
Goalkeepers: Anthony Mandanda (Caen, France) – Rais M’Bolhi (CR Belouizdad) – Oussama Ben Botica (USM Alger).
Defense: Youcef Atal (Nice, France) – Kevin Géton (Metz, France) – Ryan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton, England) – Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United, England) – Issa Mandi (Villarreal, Spain) – Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance, Tunisia) – Ahmed Touba (Lecce, Italy) – Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) – Zinedine Belaïd (USMA).
Midfield: Nabil Bentaleb (Lille, France) – Sofiane Feghouli (Fathi Karagümrük, Turkey) – Houssem Aouar (Roma, Italy) – Farid Boulaya (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany) – Ramiz Zerrouki (Feyenoord, Netherlands) – Hicham Boudaoui (Nice, France) – Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan, Italy).
Attack: Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia) – Adam Ounas (Lille, France) – Mohamed Amoura (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium) – Amin Gouiri (Stade Rennais, France) – Youssef Belaïli (MC Alger) – Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Sadd, Qatar) – Islam Slimani (Coritiba, Brazil).
Algeria, the champions of Africa in 1990 and 2019, aims to make a significant impact in AFCON 2024 after exiting the previous edition in 2021 without securing a single victory.
The team finds itself in Group D alongside Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Angola, promising an exciting tournament ahead.
