Rayan Aït-Nouri displayed noticeable frustration on the bench during Algeria’s opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zambia, expressing clear dissatisfaction after manager Brahim Hemdani selected Jaouen Hadjam for the starting left-back role.
Bench frustration surfaces for Aït-Nouri
The Manchester City defender, who has experienced limited playing time at club level since the start of the season, had anticipated a prominent role during the international window.
Hemdani opts for Hadjam on the left
For his first starting lineup since taking charge of the Greens, Hemdani opted for Hadjam on the left side of the defense.
Television cameras capturing the substitutes’ bench shortly after the second-half restart revealed Aït-Nouri with a closed expression, gesticulating actively, and appearing visibly irked by his reserve status.
Teammate Ahmed Touba, seated directly beside him, engaged in a conversation while attempting to calm the defender.
Immediate vindication on the pitch
The tactical decision yielded immediate vindication for the coaching staff.
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Just two minutes into the match, Hadjam capitalized on an assist from Mohamed Amoura, unleashing a powerful strike to open the scoring.
Algeria ultimately secured a 3-1 victory, with further goals supplied by Ibrahim Maza and Anis Hadj Moussa.
The road ahead in Bujumbura
Aït-Nouri faces a waiting period to reclaim a spot in the starting formation.
The national team travels next to Bujumbura to face Burundi on Tuesday, September 29, for the second fixture of the qualification campaign.
Worth a look
