Injured in the thigh with Toulouse, Rafik Messali is expected to be out for nearly two months. His presence with Algeria in November is highly doubtful, and head coach Ibrahim Hamdani is looking for solutions in defence.
Algeria’s international right-back Rafik Messali, of Toulouse FC, was injured in the 0-0 draw against Troyes last Sunday in Ligue 1, reports Al-Ayam News. Tests revealed a grade 3 muscle tear in the thigh, with an absence estimated at nearly two months.
According to the same source, his return is envisaged for the start of 2027, and his place in the November squad is highly doubtful. Head coach Ibrahim Hamdani and his assistant Antar Yahia are already looking for solutions in defence and in goal.
A likely withdrawal for November
The injury comes as Algeria prepare for matchdays 3 and 4 of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Togo. His likely withdrawal forces the staff to rethink their short-term plans ahead of the November camp and the double-header.
While his return is envisaged for the start of 2027, Toulouse FC will have to cope without their right-back for nearly two months.
Saoulaia and Ben Aïssa Yahia in the extended squad
In this context, Ibrahim Hamdani and Antar Yahia have expanded their list. Two new defenders feature: Abdenour Saoulaia, a 25-year-old centre-back playing for Telstar, and Fahmi Ben Aïssa Yahia, a 24-year-old left-back who plays for Mantova.
Both names appear in the extended squad for the November camp, not in a final list. Their inclusion will depend on the head coach’s final choices. The profile of Ben Aïssa Yahia, a left-back, could offer an alternative on the flank, while Saoulaia, a centre-back, could provide competition in the middle.
Togo in the crosshairs
The double-header against Togo, counting towards the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, promises to be a first test without the Toulouse full-back for the Algerian squad. Time is running short before the November camp.
Rafik Messali’s return is envisaged for the start of 2027, after the November fixtures.