Ahead of Africa World Cup Qualifiers - Algeria head coach Georges Leekens has called on Baghdad Bounedjah, Yassine Benzia and Ismaël Bennacer to replace three injured players from their initial 23-man list ahead of Saturday’s Africa World Cup Qualifying game against Nigeria.
According to a statement released on the Algeria Football Federation website, France based stars Rachid Ghezzal (Lyon) and Ryad Boudebouz (Montpellier) plus Afcon 2017 Qualifying top scorer Hilal El Arabi Soudani were excused from the squad as a result of injury problems sustained while on club duties.
With star strikers Soudani and Ghezzal out, the Belgian has now turned to Bounedjah (Étoile du Sahel on loan from Al Sadd) and Lille’s Benzia while Arsenal’s Bennacer replaces midfielder Boudebouz in the squad to face Gernot Rohr’s men. The trio share a paltry international eight caps among themselves.
Leekens will have to make do with a depleted squad in his first game in charge of the Desert Foxes following his appointment last month.
According to a statement released on the Algeria Football Federation website, France based stars Rachid Ghezzal (Lyon) and Ryad Boudebouz (Montpellier) plus Afcon 2017 Qualifying top scorer Hilal El Arabi Soudani were excused from the squad as a result of injury problems sustained while on club duties.
With star strikers Soudani and Ghezzal out, the Belgian has now turned to Bounedjah (Étoile du Sahel on loan from Al Sadd) and Lille’s Benzia while Arsenal’s Bennacer replaces midfielder Boudebouz in the squad to face Gernot Rohr’s men. The trio share a paltry international eight caps among themselves.
“Rachid Ghezzal and Ryad Boudebouz were released by the technical staff while Hilal El Arabi Soudani was excused from training of the national team. The three players were injured in their clubs. After the usual checks, the medical staff of the national team who supported them, informed the national coaching staff that Ghezzal Boudebouz and will not be fit to play the match in Nigeria on 12 November in Uyo,” a statement on the FAF website read.
“To complete the group, he [Leekens] has called on Baghdad Bounedjah who took part in training on Monday, Yacine Benzia and Ismael Bennacer.”
Leekens will have to make do with a depleted squad in his first game in charge of the Desert Foxes following his appointment last month.
Comments
Post a Comment
Do You Have Any Contribution? Kindly Drop Your COMMENT Below