Adam Zorgane and Yacine Titraoui delivered standout performances to guide Sporting Charleroi to a long-awaited return to European competition, yet their omission from Algeria’s upcoming squad has left Belgian commentators and fans scratching their heads.
Charleroi sealed their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season with a 2-1 victory over Royal Antwerp in the final playoff round.
The win marked the club’s first European qualification in five years, with the Algerian duo playing a pivotal role in the historic result.
Broadcasting the match live, a commentator on DAZN-TV Belgium lauded the performances of both players and expressed genuine surprise that neither had been called up by Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic for the June international friendlies against Rwanda and Sweden.
“I’m surprised that Titraoui wasn’t selected, but it’s good for Charleroi,” the commentator remarked, referring to the 20-year-old’s continued impact in the Belgian top flight.
Titraoui, a product of Algeria’s famed Paradou Academy, has quickly earned admiration among Belgian football fans.
His dynamic presence in midfield and creative flair have drawn comparisons with Belgian legend Enzo Scifo.
Zorgane, Charleroi’s captain and midfield anchor, also came through the Paradou system and has become a central figure for the Zebras.
His absence from Petkovic’s list has sparked a wave of discussion across Algerian social media, where fans voiced frustration over the national team’s selections.
Many supporters questioned how a player of Zorgane’s calibre—who consistently leads by example on the pitch—could be overlooked in favour of less proven names.
The discontent is particularly palpable given the context of the upcoming matches.
The friendlies were seen as an opportunity for Petkovic to assess in-form players ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The decision to exclude two players in peak form has raised concerns that the national team may be missing out on integrating some of its brightest prospects.
As Algeria prepares for its summer fixtures, the omission of Zorgane and Titraoui is likely to remain a point of debate, both at home and abroad.
For now, though, Charleroi can count themselves fortunate to retain the services of two midfielders whose stock continues to rise—and whose international credentials may soon become impossible to ignore.
