Leganés goalkeeper Luca Zidane reappears in the provisional list of five shot-stoppers drawn up by head coach Brahim Hemdani for the November camp. His place in the final squad, though, is anything but assured.
Luca Zidane features in Algeria’s preselection for the November camp, reports AfricaSoccer. The 28-year-old Leganés goalkeeper returns to the projected group after being left out of recent camps, having appeared to slip down the Fennecs’ goalkeeper pecking order, according to NigeriaSoccernet.
The news does not amount to a ticket in, however. This is a provisional list of five goalkeepers, and there is no guarantee the former Granada man will be in it when the final squad is published.
Five goalkeepers in the running
The provisional list, reported by Algerian journalist Samir Kaabouche, contains five names: Luca Zidane, Melvin Mastil, Abdellatif Ramdane, Rayan Yesli and Rahal, according to AfricaSoccer. A broad group that reflects the uncertainty around the position.
One factor has reopened the door for the Leganés goalkeeper: his suspension has now been served, making him selectable again, AfricaSoccer reports. Brahim Hemdani, who had serious doubts about his level before this preselection, does not want to decide prematurely: the pecking order remains open.
Caution is still the watchword, because preselection does not guarantee a place in the final list, the same source stresses.
A difficult start to the season
The numbers for the current campaign do not speak in his favour. The goalkeeper has conceded 14 goals in nine Spanish second-division matches with Leganés, reports NigeriaSoccernet. In his club’s most recent match he was dropped to the bench, after four consecutive defeats, according to AfricaSoccer.
The national team context offers him no greater guarantees either. Neither Zidane nor goalkeeper Oussama Benbot provided the expected assurance at CAN 2025 and above all at the 2026 World Cup, according to AfricaSoccer. Since then, Melvin Mastil has made his first official appearances for the Fennecs, NigeriaSoccernet notes.
His career path also counts: having come through Granada before joining Leganés, he now plays in Spain, as NigeriaSoccernet recalls.
Decision pending
Hemdani therefore leaves the question open, according to AfricaSoccer. The publication of Algeria’s final list for the November camp will reveal whether the Leganés goalkeeper is part of it.
Until then, Zidane must win back the head coach’s trust and, ideally, reclaim his starting place at Leganés.