Rayan Aït-Nouri watched the Zambia match from the bench and did not play, setting off a chain of events that culminated in his departure from the Algeria national team camp and direct questions for head coach Brahim Hemdani. La Gazette du Fennec reported that the Manchester City left-back was released by the national staff following a brief communiqué from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF). The decision followed an episode where the defender warmed up twice during the match against Zambia without making an appearance, a sequence that did not sit well with the player and ultimately prompted the coaching staff to send him home.
Brahim Hemdani Addresses Speculation Over Squad Selection
Faced with mounting questions over whether the defender will feature in upcoming fixtures, Brahim Hemdani offered a direct and measured response during his post-match media availability. The Algeria manager dismissed outside chatter, stating that he alone will determine who earns a call-up for the national team.
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“Laissez la place aux spéculations. Ceux qui veulent spéculer, spéculent. Je ne rentrerai pas dans ces spéculations,” Hemdani told reporters, as documented by La Gazette du Fennec. “Il y a une situation qui a été gérée. Il y a le communiqué de la Fédération. Aussi laconique soit-il, il est ce qu’il est.”
The coach added that any future developments regarding the player will be handled internally and revealed on his terms. “Tout ce qui se passera autour de cette situation sera géré en bonne intelligence et ce qu’on fera, ça m’appartiendra et vous le the saurez en temps et en heure,” Hemdani said.
November Fixtures and Club Form Determine Next Steps
With the international window closing, attention shifts to club performances and the upcoming fixture list. Algeria is scheduled to face Togo in a double-header during the November FIFA window in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, as detailed by Afrik-Foot.
For Rayan Aït-Nouri, a return to the national team setup depends heavily on both his disciplinary standing with the technical staff and his ability to secure regular playing time with his club, Manchester City. La Gazette du Fennec noted that the defender faces an uphill battle to win back regular minutes under Pep Guardiola to strengthen his case for a November recall. Meanwhile, Hemdani will evaluate his 26-used-player pool from the recent gathering, with suspended players Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali also expected to return to contention for the Togo matches.
