Madjid Bougherra has named a 28-man preliminary squad for Algeria’s final training camp ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), but the list is shrouded in uncertainty as several players may not be eligible for the final tournament.
The training camp is set to begin this Sunday at the National Technical Centre (CTN) in Sidi Moussa and marks a crucial phase in Algeria’s preparations for the continental competition, which kicks off on August 2 in East Africa.
However, the provisional nature of the squad underscores the challenges facing the national A’ team boss as he attempts to finalize his roster.
The list could still change before we send the official one to CAF, Bougherra said, highlighting the fluidity of player availability just weeks before the tournament’s commencement.
Among the key concerns is the status of forward Ayman Mahious.
Having recently completed his loan spell at CR Belouizdad from Swiss outfit Yverdon-Sport, Mahious is currently without a club in Algeria — a requirement for CHAN participation, which is exclusively reserved for players competing in domestic leagues.
Unless he secures a transfer or another loan to an Algerian side, he will be ruled out of the competition.
Other players in the squad also face the possibility of transfers abroad, which would immediately disqualify them under CHAN eligibility rules.
Bougherra must now wait to see how the transfer market unfolds before finalizing his team list, which must be submitted to CAF ahead of the July 22 deadline.
Algeria has been drawn into Group C alongside Uganda, South Africa, Guinea, and Niger — a challenging pool that will test the depth and resilience of the squad.
The 2025 edition of CHAN will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from August 2 to 30.
While the current list offers a glimpse into Bougherra’s tactical vision, it is increasingly clear that the final selection will hinge not just on form and fitness, but on contractual and transfer developments outside the coach’s control.
With time running short, Algeria’s technical team faces a race against the clock to assemble a squad that meets both the competitive demands of the tournament and the strict eligibility criteria set by CAF.
