Algeria faces tough decisions ahead of september FIFA window
Algeria’s national football team faces crucial decisions as the September FIFA international window approaches. With upcoming matches against Equatorial Guinea and Liberia in the qualifiers for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco, head coach Vladimir Petkovic is meticulously evaluating his options amid concerns over player availability and fitness.
Petkovic, who has been closely monitoring the resumption of domestic football, recently attended the preliminary Confederation Cup match between CS Constantine (CSC) and Rwanda’s AS Police in Constantine, as well as the CAF Champions League qualifier between MC Alger and Liberia’s FC Watanga in Algiers.
These observations are part of his preparation for finalizing the squad list for the training camp scheduled from September 2 to 10.
However, the national team staff is already grappling with potential absences. Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb remains sidelined due to health issues that have kept him off the pitch since early summer.
Forward Mohamed Amine Amoura is also a concern after sustaining an injury at his new club, VfL Wolfsburg.
The uncertainties extend to Youcef Atal, who is currently without a club and training independently, and Yacine Brahimi, who has been declared injured by his club Al-Gharafa SC.
Brahimi’s situation is further complicated by reports of a heated exchange with teammates Tougai and Bennacer following Algeria’s 2-1 home defeat to Guinea in June, which led to his departure from the National Technical Center and absence from the subsequent match against Uganda.
Defensive selections pose additional challenges. Kevin Guitoun, relegated to the reserve team by FC Metz after their relegation to Ligue 2, and new JS Kabylie defender Mohamed Madani, who is still in training, are both question marks for the upcoming squad.
On a more positive note, several players have started the season in good form. Amine Gouiri impressed in Rennes’ dominant 3-0 victory over Lyon in Ligue 1, where he notably outperformed his compatriot Saïd Benrahma.
Aïssa Mandi, who has returned to French football with Rennes, and Ismaël Bennacer, still at AC Milan despite transfer rumors, are also likely to feature.
Rami Bensebaïni has fully recovered from injury, while Rayan Aït Nouri has shown promise with Wolverhampton.
The Feyenoord duo of Ramiz Zerrouki and Anis Hadj Moussa, fresh off their Dutch Super Cup win, are expected to be included as well.
Petkovic is also considering the inclusion of several other players who have been performing well.
This list includes Houssem Aouar, now with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Yacine Benzia, Ahmed Kendouci, Moncef Bakrar, and Baghdad Bounedjah, who recently moved to Al-Shamal SC in Qatar.
Zineddine Belaïd, who transferred to Saint-Trond VV in Belgium, along with Mohamed Amine Tougaï, Hicham Boudaoui, and Jaouen Hadjam, are also under consideration.
The potential recall of key players whose absence in June sparked controversy is another point of discussion.
Ryad Mahrez, Farès Chaïbi, Mohamed El-Bachir Belloumi, and Youcef Belaïli, who has since transferred from MC Alger to Espérance de Tunis, could all be called up.
In the goalkeeping department, unless there are unforeseen changes, the trio of Anthony Mandréa, Mustapha Zeghba (who recently returned to CR Belouizdad), and Oussama Benbot are expected to be retained.
There is also speculation about the inclusion of new talents, with names like Mohamed Farsi (Columbus Crew, Canada), Adil Aouchiche (Sunderland AFC, England), and Amin Chiakha (FC Copenhagen, Denmark) being mentioned as possible additions.
As the September window approaches, Petkovic’s decisions will be crucial in shaping Algeria’s campaign for AFCON 2025 qualification. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the squad’s composition and readiness for the challenges ahead.
