Algeria’s local national team coach, Madjid Bougherra, has highlighted two emerging talents, Adil Boulbina and Lahlou Akhrib, as players he intends to elevate within the national team structure following their impressive performances during the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification campaign.
Following a commanding 3-0 victory over Gambia on Friday evening in Annaba, which secured Algeria’s spot in the 2025 CHAN, Bougherra was full of praise for the team’s performance and, in particular, for two young players who made a lasting impression.
The former national team defender used the post-match moment not only to celebrate qualification but also to shine a spotlight on potential future stars of Algerian football.
Adil Boulbina, the standout performer of the match, netted twice against the Scorpions and reaffirmed why he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the Algerian Ligue 1 Mobilis.
The 21-year-old winger, currently playing for Paradou AC, leads the domestic scoring charts with 15 goals and six assists from just 22 matches this season.
“Boulbina has great potential, but he still has room to grow,” Bougherra said, acknowledging the winger’s raw talent while noting the development still required to reach the highest level.
The coach was equally enthusiastic about Lahlou Akhrib, a young striker from JS Kabylie, whose intelligent movement and positive attitude stood out during the qualifier.
“I also liked Akhrib’s match,” Bougherra added. “I want to bring as many young players as possible up the ladder.”
Akhrib, who has scored once and delivered three assists this season, is also captain of Algeria’s U20 team and recently opened his senior goal account. His current contract with JSK runs until 2027, but with growing interest from clubs abroad, most notably Dinamo Zagreb, his future may lie outside of Algeria.
The club is reportedly considering raising his release clause from under €500,000 to approximately €1.2 million to reflect his rising value.
Similarly, Boulbina is attracting serious attention from European scouts. Ajax Amsterdam is believed to have already made a €1 million bid for the player. That offer was turned down by Paradou, who are holding out for a figure closer to €1.5 to €2 million. The club appears willing to sell, but not before the conclusion of the current season.
Both players represent a dual-edged reality for Algerian football. While they offer a promising glimpse into the future of the national team, their growing appeal abroad raises concerns about how long local clubs will be able to retain such talent.
For Bougherra, the challenge is to integrate them quickly and meaningfully into the national fold before European clubs lure them away from the domestic scene.
As Algeria prepares for future competitions and continues its development of homegrown talent, the rise of Boulbina and Akhrib stands as both a triumph and a test.
Their performances offer a bright future for the national side, but ensuring their continued contribution will depend on careful planning and strategic nurturing at both club and international level.
