Rafik Belghali, the Torino full-back, returns to the national team after his two-match suspension. But Brahim Hemdani still has no clear hierarchy at right-back ahead of the double header against Togo.
Rafik Belghali returns to the national team after serving the two-match suspension handed down by CAF following the incidents in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final against Nigeria. The Torino FC full-back therefore rejoins the squad being prepared by Brahim Hemdani for the double qualifying clash against Togo on the road to AFCON 2027.
Belghali’s return does not solve everything, however. The national team coach must deal with a right flank where he still has no firmly established hierarchy, as Afrik-Foot points out. Brahim Hemdani’s next squad list, expected for the November gathering, has not yet been published, and no decision has been finalised.
Belghali, a strong case on the pitch
On the pitch, Belghali’s argument is solid. The full-back has played 5 matches and 265 minutes with Torino in Serie A this season, according to Afrik-Foot. Above all, he comes off a sparkling display in the Torino shirt, providing two assists in the 3-0 win over Parma.
His suspension nonetheless deprived the Greens of an option for two matches. CAF sanctioned the player after the incidents during the AFCON 2025 quarter-final against Nigeria, DzBallon recalls. His return to the squad does not automatically guarantee a starting place, since Hemdani has not yet decided.
Messali and Zedadka waiting in the wings
Behind Belghali, the challengers boast equally credible numbers. Rafik Messali, right-back at Toulouse FC, has 7 matches and 414 minutes in Ligue 1 for his club, according to Afrik-Foot. Akim Zedadka, right-back at Sabah FK, has been playing regularly with 11 matches and 961 minutes this season, including appearances in the Champions League, the same outlet specifies.
Messali’s name is not the only one fuelling the debate. Kelyann Bezahaf, of Olympique de Marseille, is also on the radar with 2 appearances for 96 minutes in Ligue 1, according to Afrik-Foot. DzBallon, meanwhile, recalls that the option of Saâdi Radouani, tested in September against Zambia and Burundi, had not offered every guarantee before his injury against Niger. Under those conditions, it is hard to single out an obvious choice.
That is precisely the observation of Naïm Beneddra of Afrik-Foot: “This abundance remains misleading, however: behind Rafik Belghali, no candidate has yet offered enough guarantees to become a genuine obvious choice.” The coach must therefore choose between a starter returning from suspension and challengers who can stake a claim to his place.
Hemdani facing the Togo question
Appointed in September at the head of the Greens after the departure of Vladimir Petkovic, which followed elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Switzerland, Brahim Hemdani inherits a job that is far from finished. The double header against Togo, in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, will be a test of squad management.
The next squad list, expected for the November gathering against Togo, will show which right-back Brahim Hemdani picks.