Algerian national team gearing up for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, prolific striker Mohamed El-Amin Amoura will be notably absent from the starting lineup in the opening encounter against Angola.
The announcement of Amoura’s suspension, coupled with an earlier revelation about the absence of Amine Gouiri, has cast a temporary shadow over the Algerian camp as they prepare for their Group 4 clash scheduled for January 15 in Ivory Coast.
Amoura’s automatic suspension stems from accumulating three yellow cards during the qualification campaign, with cautions received against Tanzania on June 8, 2022, and September 7, 2023, followed by a third yellow card in the match against Mozambique.
According to the regulations set forth by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), this has triggered a one-match suspension for the dynamic Union Saint-Gilloise striker.
Manager Djamel Belmadi, addressing the media from Lomé airport in Togo, lamented the absence of Amoura for the crucial opening fixture.
“Amoura will miss the match against Angola due to a suspension that he must serve,” revealed Belmadi.
The coach acknowledged the significance of Amoura’s contribution to the team, highlighting his role as one of the major assets in the Algerian attacking lineup.
Despite the setback, Belmadi remains optimistic about the team’s prospects in the tournament, expressing confidence in the depth of the squad and the ability of other players to step up in the absence of key contributors.
The Greens, eager to make a mark in the continental championship, will strive to navigate the challenges posed by Amoura’s suspension and Gouiri’s absence as they embark on their AFCON 2023 campaign.
