Algeria prospect Nais Djouahra emerges as surprise contender for Brahim Hemdani squad

Nais Djouahra’s impressive start to the season in Portugal has put the Arouca winger in contention for a place in Brahim Hemdani’s first Algeria squad.

The 26-year-old is currently the Portuguese league’s leading assist provider, having created four goals in six matches. His latest assist came on Sunday despite Arouca’s defeat by Santa Clara, extending a run of form that has made him increasingly difficult to overlook.

Djouahra also enjoyed a productive 2024-25 campaign, scoring six goals and supplying three assists in 34 league appearances. That record, combined with his current form, could earn him an unexpected opportunity as Hemdani considers changing several positions within the Algeria team.

Born in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Djouahra spent six years in the Saint-Etienne academy before leaving ASSE in 2018 for Real Sociedad. He made his La Liga debut after establishing himself with the club’s reserve side, but his career has followed an uneven path.

A loan spell at Mirandes was followed by a period at Leganes, where he experienced Spain’s second tier. He then moved to Rijeka in 2022, beginning the Croatian chapter of his career.

Djouahra was part of the Rijeka team that won the Croatian league title in 2025. He subsequently joined Arouca on a free transfer and appears to have found the regular football and consistency that had often been missing from his career.

Standing at 1.71m, Djouahra is a quick and technically gifted winger who is particularly effective in tight areas. A right-footed player usually deployed on the left, he looks to take on defenders, cut inside and create openings with his dribbling. He is also capable of playing on the right or operating in a more central role.

That versatility, along with the quality of his final pass, could appeal to Hemdani as the new Algeria manager appears ready to widen competition ahead of his first international gathering. Djouahra’s ability to unsettle deep defensive blocks may also work in his favour.

The competition for places remains considerable. Mohamed Amoura, Ilan Kebbal and Adil Boulbina are ahead of him in the pecking order on the left, while Anis Hadj Moussa and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi are among the leading candidates to succeed Riyad Mahrez on the right.

Belloumi has strengthened his claim in that battle, making a place even harder for Djouahra to secure. Unlike several of his rivals, Djouahra has no international experience and plays for a club with less visibility.

His current form nevertheless gives Hemdani a reason to consider him. Djouahra has already stated his desire to represent Algeria, while his career so far has demonstrated his ability to overcome significant obstacles.