Amine Gouiri to leave Algeria camp after injury against Zambia

Amine Gouiri will leave the Algeria squad after suffering a thigh injury during Friday’s 3-1 victory over Zambia in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Algerian Football Federation said on Saturday that medical tests confirmed the Marseille striker had sustained a muscle injury to his left thigh.

Gouiri will now be rested before being released from the national team camp on Sunday morning to return to his club. The federation did not specify how long he is expected to be unavailable.

The 24-year-old was substituted in the 20th minute of the match against Zambia, with Amin Chiakha coming on in his place.

Gouiri is the second Algeria player to leave the camp on Saturday. Earlier in the day, coach Ibrahim Hamdani released Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri following an altercation with members of the coaching staff during the Zambia game.

Algeria made a fast start in Blida, with Joan Hadjam opening the scoring in the second minute. Zambia equalised through Fashion Sakala in the 57th minute, but the hosts responded with two further goals.

Ibrahim Maza restored Algeria’s lead in the 67th minute before Anis Hadj Moussa completed the scoring seven minutes later.

The result put Algeria at the top of Group 9, which also includes Zambia, Burundi and Niger. Algeria travel to face Burundi on Tuesday in their second qualifying match.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign is Gouiri’s latest international involvement with Algeria, but his participation in the next fixture is now ruled out by the injury confirmed after the opening victory.