Algeria has been dealt another blow ahead of the final two matches in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers, with left-back Jaouen Hadjam ruled out due to injury. This follows the recent news that midfielder Hicham Boudaoui will also miss the upcoming games, leaving the Fennec Foxes without two key players.
Hadjam, who plays for Young Boys Bern, has been sidelined with a calf muscle tear.
His club confirmed on Saturday that the 20-year-old will be out of action for three weeks, ruling him out of Algeria’s matches against Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, November 14, and Liberia on Sunday, November 17.
Algeria has already secured its place in the tournament, clinching qualification after back-to-back victories against Togo in the previous rounds.
With qualification in hand, the absence of Boudaoui and Hadjam may have less impact on the outcome of these remaining fixtures, though it will be a test of the squad’s depth as they prepare for the competition ahead.
Hadjam’s injury represents a setback for the young defender, who had hoped to make an impression on the international stage in these final qualification matches.
The 21-year-old has been a rising talent, showcasing his abilities in Switzerland’s top league. However, with his recovery expected to span the next few weeks, Hadjam will now focus on regaining fitness in time for future fixtures with the Algerian squad.
Algerian football fans will now look to manager Djamel Belmadi for any adjustments in the lineup, particularly as the team will need to fill the gaps left by these absences.
The final matches are expected to feature a mix of regular starters and potential new faces as Algeria takes the opportunity to test its squad depth while looking to maintain momentum.
With their place in the 2025 tournament already sealed, Algeria’s final two matches may be a chance to experiment and build a versatile team for the future.