Djamel Belmadi’s squad selection for the final matchday of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers continues to generate discussion among Algerian supporters. After explaining the absences of Yacine Brahimi and Nabil Bentaleb, the national team coach has also clarified why Faouzi Ghoulam was not included for the decisive fixture against Gambia.
The Napoli left-back, long considered a pillar of the Fennecs’ defense, will indeed miss the match, despite Algeria already having secured qualification for the AFCON finals. For Belmadi, this decision is neither disciplinary nor definitive, but rather linked to the player’s current physical and competitive situation.
“Ghoulam is still searching for his true level and what could allow him to secure a place for the Africa Cup,” the Algerian coach explained in remarks reported by Le Buteur. According to Belmadi, the defender has not yet returned to his best form following a long and difficult recovery from injury.
Ghoulam’s recent career has been heavily disrupted by physical setbacks. After suffering a serious knee injury, the full-back spent many months away from the pitch, struggling to regain rhythm and consistency. While he has returned to action with Napoli, his playing time remains limited, a factor that weighed heavily in Belmadi’s decision.
“He isn’t playing much at the moment and needs to string together a series of matches,” the coach added. For Belmadi, regular game time is essential, especially for a player expected to perform at the highest international level. Without consistent minutes in club competition, it becomes difficult to accurately assess a player’s readiness for a demanding tournament such as the AFCON.
Rather than rushing Ghoulam back into international duty, the Algerian staff prefers to allow him time to rebuild physically and mentally. Belmadi believes the upcoming international break can be used productively by the defender to focus on training and gradually regain the level he displayed before his injury.
“He will work during the international break to get back to the level he was at before his injury,” Belmadi stated confidently.
This cautious approach fits into the coach’s broader philosophy. With qualification already in the bag, the final qualifier against Gambia provides an opportunity to test other players and explore alternative solutions, particularly in positions where competition is fierce. At left-back, Belmadi has several options and wants to evaluate those who are currently in better physical condition and enjoying more regular playing time.
The absence of Brahimi, Bentaleb, and Ghoulam therefore reflects a clear strategy rather than a shift in hierarchy. Belmadi is using this window to expand his options, manage workloads, and ensure that players returning from injury are not exposed too quickly to high-intensity international matches.
As Algeria prepares for the AFCON finals, every decision is being taken with the long term in mind. The coaching staff’s priority is to arrive at the tournament with a fully fit, competitive, and balanced squad. For Faouzi Ghoulam, the message is clear: regain rhythm, accumulate minutes, and rediscover top form.
If he succeeds in doing so, the door to the national team remains wide open. Far from being sidelined permanently, Ghoulam is simply being given time—time to heal, to rebuild, and to return stronger ahead of Algeria’s continental ambitions.
