Algeria’s national team hit by player withdrawals ahead of crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier
Algeria’s national football team began their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign on a strong note, securing a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, thanks to goals from former Lyon stars Houssem Aouar and Amine Gouiri. However, the win has been overshadowed by the unexpected departure of two key players from the squad, a development that could have significant implications for their upcoming matches.
In an official statement released on Thursday evening, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed that defender Rayan Aït Nouri and striker Mohamed Amoura would be leaving the team camp.
The announcement cited medical advice and the authorization of national coach Vladimir Petković as the reasons for their departure. The federation emphasized that the decision was made to ensure the players’ full recovery and to avoid any potential risks to their health.
“After medical advice and authorization from national coach Vladimir Petković, the two players will not travel to Monrovia with the national team.
They will be preserved in order to recover without risk,” the statement read.
Aït Nouri and Amoura are expected to rejoin their respective clubs on Saturday, while the rest of the Algerian squad will continue their qualification campaign with a match against Liberia on Tuesday, September 10.
Impact on Algeria’s Qualification Campaign
The absence of Aït Nouri and Amoura is a significant blow for Algeria as they prepare to face Liberia in Monrovia.
Aït Nouri, who plays as a left-back for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, has been a vital part of Algeria’s defense.
His ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him a key player for the team. Similarly, Amoura, a promising young forward, has shown great potential and could have been an important asset in the attack against Liberia.
With these withdrawals, Coach Petković will need to adjust his tactics and find suitable replacements to fill the void left by the two players.
The coach’s ability to adapt to these challenges will be crucial in maintaining the momentum from their opening victory and securing another win in the upcoming fixture.
Algeria’s Strong Start
Despite the setback, Algeria’s performance against Equatorial Guinea showcased their strength and determination.
The goals from Aouar and Gouiri, both of whom have roots in Lyon, France, demonstrated the depth of talent within the squad.
Their contributions were instrumental in ensuring Algeria’s winning start to the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, putting them in a strong position in their group.
As the team looks ahead to their match against Liberia, the focus will be on maintaining their winning form and overcoming the challenges posed by the absence of key players.
The squad’s resilience and adaptability will be tested, but with the quality of players remaining, Algeria will aim to continue their successful campaign.
Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the Fennecs respond to this adversity and whether they can secure another victory to further solidify their path to AFCON 2025.
