The Algerian sports community eagerly awaits the announcement of the 27-man squad by coach Djamel Belmadi, who will lead the national team, known as “Les Verts,” in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.
Notably, the squad is expected to include four goalkeepers.
In this context, “Al Arabi Al Jadid” has acquired information from a source within the Algerian national team coaching staff, indicating that there are specific reasons motivating Djamel Belmadi to bring four goalkeepers to the continental football extravaganza.
The selected goalkeepers are Anthony Mandrea of FC Metz, Mustapha Zeghba playing for Dhamk in Saudi Arabia, and the domestic duo Rais M’Bolhi from CR Belouizdad and Osama Ben Bouteb of USM Alger.
The information further reveals that Djamel Belmadi aims to have veteran goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi mentor his teammate Anthony Mandrea, who is expected to be the primary name in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, marking Mandrea’s first major continental competition since joining the Algerian national team in June 2022.
Rais M’Bolhi’s extensive experience, having participated in five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations with the Algerian national team in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and the last edition in Cameroon in 2022, makes him well-suited for this role.
Djamel Belmadi is notably impressed by M’Bolhi’s elevated performance, contributing significantly to CR Belouizdad’s triumph in the previous African Confederation Cup and the African Super Cup against Egypt’s Al Ahly, indicating his valuable experience in African football competitions.
The same holds true for the seasoned Mustapha Zeghba, who excelled in the CAF Champions League with his former club, ES Sétif in Algeria.
It is worth noting that the Algerian national team’s training camp commenced at the Sidi Moussa Center in Algeria this week, with approximately 15 players joining so far.
The final squad, set to travel to Lome, the capital of Togo, for a closed training camp in preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, will be announced by coach Djamel Belmadi next Monday.
