A 77th-minute exit from a 4–0 CAF Champions League preliminary round victory against Al-Merrikh has left Algeria striker Nadhir Benbouali facing a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the national team’s November training camp, according to La Gazette du Fennec. The 26-year-old forward had already scored before sustaining a hamstring tear.
The setback arrives at a delicate juncture for Benbouali, who had begun establishing rhythm in Cairo with three goals across his previous four appearances. Having missed the most recent national team gathering due to physical issues, the former Paradou AC player was widely anticipated to force his way back into the squad under head coach Brahim Hemdani. Medical staff at his Egyptian club confirmed the hamstring tear, though detailed X-rays and supplementary examinations remain necessary to establish an exact recovery timeline.
Selection Dilemmas Mount for Hemdani
Benbouali’s rehabilitation timeline compounds selection challenges for Hemdani, who must manage an intensely competitive central-forward pool as the squad prepares for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The national team faces Togo in a doubleheader scheduled for November 14 and November 17, 2026, within the qualification framework for the 2027 tournament.
Midfield Blow Deepens Squad Concerns
Complicating matters further for the technical staff, midfielder Adil Bourabaâ also faces a prolonged absence following an ankle injury sustained during Algeria’s 2–1 victory against Niger at Stade Hocine-Aït-Ahmed in Tizi Ouzou. Patrick Videira, manager of French club Le Mans, confirmed in a press conference that Bourabaâ requires a protective boot and will remain immobilized for a minimum of four weeks. “It must be immobilized with a boot for a minimum of four weeks. We might not see him back on the pitch for a certain time,” Videira explained regarding the 21-year-old midfielder, whose absence places his maiden senior call-up in serious jeopardy.
Domestic Momentum Halted by Injury
Both players now confront critical recovery phases that sideline them from domestic fixtures. Prior to his ankle injury, Bourabaâ had recorded three goals and two assists during the opening weeks of the French season, establishing himself as a vital component of Le Mans’ attacking transition. Similarly, Benbouali’s recent scoring surge for Pyramids FC had positioned him as a strong candidate to challenge for minutes in Hemdani’s setup, where forward options face rigorous competition for places.
Waiting on Medical Clearance Reports
With medical evaluations ongoing for Benbouali in Egypt and Le Mans managing Bourabaâ’s rehabilitation in France, the national team coaching staff awaits definitive clearance reports before finalizing the squad list for the November fixtures.
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