Algeria face a nervous wait over the fitness of striker Baghdad Bounedjah ahead of next month’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Botswana and Guinea.
The 32-year-old forward suffered a muscle injury during Al-Shamal’s Qatari league fixture against Al-Ahli on Thursday.
He was withdrawn in the 80th minute, raising concerns over his availability for the Fennecs’ September fixtures.
Before his premature exit, Bounedjah had played a pivotal role in his club’s season opener.
He broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, converting a pass from compatriot Mohamed Omar Rafik, before Al-Shamal sealed a 2-0 victory in Ash Shamal.
While the win provided the ideal start for his club, attention in Algeria has turned sharply towards the striker’s condition.
Medical tests are expected to clarify the extent of the injury in the coming days.
National team supporters are clinging to the hope of a repeat of 2019, when Bounedjah overcame injury doubts to feature prominently in Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
Under head coach Vladimir Petkovic, Bounedjah remains a cornerstone of Algeria’s attack.
He scored three goals in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, underlining his enduring value despite increased competition from Amine Gouiri, widely tipped as his long-term successor.
With 72 international caps and 30 goals to his name, the Oran-born forward brings experience and a proven scoring record to the national side.
His absence for the upcoming double-header would be a major blow as Algeria aim to strengthen their position in Group G of the qualifiers.
The Fennecs will host Botswana before travelling to face Guinea in what could prove pivotal fixtures on the road to the 2026 finals.
For Petkovic, the prospect of entering these matches without one of his most reliable finishers poses a tactical challenge at a critical stage of the campaign.
As the countdown to September continues, Algeria’s coaching staff and fans alike will be anxiously awaiting the results of Bounedjah’s medical evaluation, hoping that their talisman can recover in time to lead the line once again.
