Two goalkeepers emerge as potential replacements for Luca Zidane in Algeria’s September games

Luca Zidane’s hopes of returning to the Algeria squad for November’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are under threat, with the goalkeeper reportedly facing competition for his place following an inconsistent run of performances.

The 28-year-old was absent from Algeria’s September fixtures against Zambia and Burundi after serving a suspension linked to his behaviour at the 2025 AFCON. He is hoping to return for the upcoming double-header against Togo, but his place in Brahim Hemdani’s squad is far from assured.

According to winwin, the Algeria coaching staff remain unconvinced by the level of Zinédine Zidane’s second son, whose performances have reportedly failed to meet expectations since joining Leganés after the 2026 World Cup.

Guendouz and Oukidja offer alternatives

Alexis Guendouz and veteran goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja have emerged as possible alternatives should Luca Zidane lose his place in the squad.

Guendouz, 30, currently plays for JS Kabylie, while 38-year-old Oukidja represents ES Sétif. Both goalkeepers have previously featured for Algeria, having been tested as first- and second-choice options respectively.

However, neither fully convinced during their earlier opportunities, and both have been absent from the national team for at least a year.

Despite their prolonged absence, winwin reports that the coaching staff are monitoring their situations as they assess their goalkeeping options ahead of November’s fixtures.

The pair could compete for the third goalkeeping position behind Melvin Mastil and Abdellatif Ramdane, who are expected to retain their places in the squad.

Their possible return would increase the competition for places and leave Luca Zidane facing uncertainty as Algeria prepare for two important qualifying matches.

World Cup struggles raise further questions

Zidane’s performances at the 2026 World Cup have also contributed to the scrutiny surrounding his position.

The goalkeeper struggled to make a convincing impression during Algeria’s opening match against Argentina, which ended in a 3-0 defeat.

He also featured in the 2-1 victory over Jordan but failed to produce a standout performance that would firmly establish his position as Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.

By the third group match against Austria, Zidane had been dropped to the bench, with Oussama Benbot taking his place in a 3-3 draw.

He subsequently featured in Algeria’s round-of-32 encounter against Switzerland but was unable to prevent a 2-0 defeat that ended the North Africans’ World Cup campaign.

The sequence of results and his inconsistent displays have reportedly prompted renewed consideration of the goalkeeping hierarchy ahead of the next international break.

November fixtures could prove decisive

Algeria are scheduled to face Togo twice in November as their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign continues, with the first meeting set for November 14 in Tizi-Ouzou before the return fixture in Lomé on November 17.

The upcoming selection represents an opportunity for Zidane to return to the national team after missing the September matches. However, the competition from experienced domestic options could complicate his bid.

With Mastil and Ramdane expected to remain in contention, the coaching staff must also decide who will occupy the remaining goalkeeping position.

Zidane’s inclusion is therefore not guaranteed, and his future role with the Fennecs could depend on the coaching staff’s assessment of his recent performances and the alternatives available.

The final squad for the November qualifiers will determine whether the goalkeeper retains his place or makes way for one of the returning options.