Brahim Hemdani will unveil his squad on Thursday 5 November for the double header against Togo, with the expected returns of Luca Zidane, Hicham Boudaoui and Oussama Benbot. But Rafik Belghali, the Torino full-back who went off limping, embodies the main uncertainty.
Algeria head coach Brahim Hemdani will unveil his squad this Thursday 5 November, at a press conference at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki. The selected players will contest the double header against Togo, counting towards the CAF 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, according to Horizons.dz. With 4 points, Algeria sit top of their group.
Attention is already turning to the returns reported in the press. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane and right-back Rafik Belghali, who have just served the suspension handed down by CAF after the incidents in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final lost to Nigeria (0-2), are expected to rejoin the squad. Goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, 32, of USM Alger, and midfielder Hicham Boudaoui, of OGC Nice, back from injury, should also return. But a shadow hangs over Belghali, who went off limping in Torino’s match against Frosinone.
Belghali, the last-minute doubt
A starter for Torino FC against Frosinone, Belghali was forced to leave the pitch limping, according to La Gazette du Fennec. His withdrawal casts doubt over his availability, with further medical examinations to come. The severity of his injury is yet to be determined.
The 24-year-old was suspended by CAF during the last international break and had missed Hemdani’s first camp. His place in Thursday’s squad therefore remains uncertain.
La Gazette du Fennec stresses that his return had been anticipated, this first camp of the Hemdani era having passed him by. His physical condition will therefore be closely scrutinised before the official announcement.
Benaïssa and Soualhiya, the new faces
The probable squad, which would number 28 players according to Fennec Football, would notably include Mohamed Amoura, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa and Ibrahim Maza. Two names, however, stand out: Fahem Benaïssa and Abdelnour Soualhiya, tipped for a first call-up.
Fahem Benaïssa, left-back at Mantova 1911 in Serie B, has taken part in 11 matches in all competitions this season, contributing to two goals. Abdelnour Soualhiya, centre-back at SC Telstar, has played 11 matches, scored one goal and provided one assist.
For now these two players are only tipped: the official squad, expected on Thursday, will reveal whether they are among those selected.
Two matches against Togo
The two meetings with Togo will be played on 14 November in Tizi Ouzou, then on 17 November in Lomé, as part of the CAF 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
So far, Algeria have won one match, 3-1 against Zambia, and drawn 2-2 with Burundi. The return of the suspended and injured players could strengthen the squad for these two matches.
Thursday’s squad, unveiled in Baraki, will reveal whether Belghali is part of the group for Tizi Ouzou.