Amine Gouiri injury worries Marseille after Algeria match

Amine Gouiri’s international break ended prematurely after the Marseille striker was forced off during Algeria’s 3-1 AFCON 2027 qualifying victory over Zambia on Friday.

Gouiri started the match but left the pitch in the 18th minute after feeling discomfort in his left thigh. Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani later confirmed that the problem appeared to involve the quadriceps, although no diagnosis has yet been established.

“We are on alert. We will wait until tomorrow before making a decision. He has discomfort in the quadriceps of his left thigh,” Hemdani said after the match.

The wording offers some hope that the injury may be minor, but only further examinations will reveal its seriousness and the possible length of Gouiri’s absence.

Marseille will be particularly anxious because the forward has made an excellent start to the Ligue 1 season. Gouiri has scored four goals and supplied one assist in five league appearances, making him the club’s only reliable natural centre-forward.

Coach Bruno Genesio is already dealing with another international injury. Defender Derek Cornelius suffered a hip problem while representing Canada and could reportedly miss several months. Marseille will now hope Gouiri’s tests bring more reassuring news and prevent the club’s injury list from growing further.