Luca Zidane, 28, has been left out of the Algeria squad for the two AFCON qualifying matches against Togo. Head coach Brahim Hemdani cites “sporting criteria” to justify the decision.
Luca Zidane is not in Algeria’s squad for the two AFCON qualifying matches against Togo, SuperSport reports. The son of French legend Zinedine Zidane joined the Fennecs after switching his sporting nationality in September 2025.
Asked about the decision, head coach Brahim Hemdani explained that the player’s exclusion is “based on sporting criteria”, in comments relayed by SuperSport. He also set out his thinking when picking his squad: “I need to have three goalkeepers who play as much as possible.”
Benbot, Mastil and Ramdane called up
For these two fixtures, Hemdani has selected Oussama Benbot, goalkeeper of USM Alger, Melvin Mastil, of Swiss club Lausanne-Sport, and Abdelatif Ramdane, of MC Alger. Three players called up to compete for places while Zidane is not on the trip.
The choice comes during a difficult spell for Zidane. According to SuperSport, he was recently absent from the national team because of an injury and a two-match suspension, following scuffles during an AFCON match against Nigeria in January.
A recent run with the Fennecs
The Togo episode is part of a still young story between Luca Zidane and the Algeria national team. His arrival with the Fennecs dates back to September 2025, after his switch of sporting nationality, SuperSport recalls.
His presence in squads has not been continuous, between injury and suspension. Hemdani’s decision, presented as a sporting one, therefore adds to this period of absences for the player in the national shirt.
Two meetings with Togo
Algeria face Togo on 15 November 2026, before the return match Togo v Algeria scheduled for 18 November 2026, in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, according to qiumiwu.com.
Two matches for which Hemdani has made a different choice to Luca Zidane, and which open up competition between Benbot, Mastil and Ramdane.