Algeria suffer Mohamed Belloumi setback ahead of double-header against Togo

Algeria have suffered two further setbacks ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo after Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Joan Hajjam were ruled out through injury.

The Algerian Football Federation confirmed on Monday that the pair would be unavailable for the upcoming matches, adding to the absence of goalkeeper Abdel Latif Ramadan, who left the national team camp following the death of his father.

Coach Ibrahim Hamdani is preparing his side for two meetings with Togo on November 14 and 17, in the third and fourth rounds of the qualifying campaign.

Bloumi and Hajjam ruled out

Brighton defender Hajjam was an unused substitute during his team’s 2-0 victory over Brentford in the English Premier League on Sunday.

Meanwhile, striker Belloumi missed Hull City’s 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal on Saturday.

Following Hajjam’s withdrawal, the technical staff called up Fahim bin Issa Yahya, who plays for Italian second-division club Montova, as his replacement.

Algeria make further squad changes

The Algerian Football Federation had earlier confirmed the call-up of goalkeeper Ryan Yesli of Olympique Akbou to replace Ramadan.

Ramadan was excused from the camp after the death of his father.

Algeria lead Group I

Algeria currently top Group I with four points from their opening two matches.

They hold a one-point advantage over Zambia and Togo, while Burundi sit bottom of the group with one point.