The participation of Houssem Aouar in the upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Algerian national team remains a subject of intense speculation.
The Roma midfielder finds himself in a critical juncture, endeavoring to recover from a left adductor injury sustained during the Europa League clash against Sheriff Tiraspol on December 14. As the prestigious tournament in Ivory Coast looms, the question of Aouar’s availability is at the forefront of discussions.
According to reports from Le Corriere dello Sport, Aouar is engaged in a meticulous rehabilitation process with a targeted return window set between the fixture against Juventus on December 30 and the initial matches of 2024, including the Italian Cup encounter against Cremonese on January 3 and the league battle against Atalanta on January 7.
While initial assessments veered toward a cautious outlook, recent developments suggest a more optimistic timeline for the former Lyon maestro.
The pivotal factor remains Aouar’s potential absence from competitive play before the finalization of the AFCON squad list by coach Djamel Belmadi on January 3.
The final decision on Aouar’s inclusion in the Algerian contingent, set to kick off their AFCON campaign against Angola on January 15, rests with Belmadi, who assesses the midfielder’s fitness and form leading up to the tournament.
The narrative surrounding Aouar’s potential return to the pitch, especially in time for the AFCON, adds an intriguing dimension to Algeria’s preparations.
As football enthusiasts await the official announcement of the final squad, the trajectory of Aouar’s recovery becomes a focal point, underscoring the delicate balance between rehabilitation timelines and the exigencies of continental competition.
Algérie : Aouar, le dilemme de Belmadi https://t.co/ajTrcrDjgk pic.twitter.com/XAdReh3bJp
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) December 18, 2023
