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Football legend Zidane’s son dropped from Algeria squad for AFCON qualifiers

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By Linda Ikeji

Football legend Zidane’s son dropped from Algeria squad for AFCON qualifiers

Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani has left goalkeeper Luca Zidane and defender Rayan Ait-Nouri out of his 26-man squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in opposition to Togo.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, November 5, Hemdani mentioned Zidane’s omission was “based on sporting criteria”, explaining that common membership appearances had influenced his choice. “I need to have three goalkeepers who were getting as much playing time as possible,” he mentioned.

The coach chosen USM Alger’s Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil of Swiss membership Lausanne-Sport and MC Alger goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane. Zidane, 28, has not too long ago missed worldwide responsibility due to harm and a two-match suspension following scuffles throughout Algeria’s AFCON match in opposition to Nigeria in January.

The Leganes goalkeeper, a son of former France worldwide Zinedine Zidane, switched his worldwide allegiance in September 2025 to characterize Algeria, the place his household has roots. His exclusion got here alongside that of Manchester City left-back Ait-Nouri, who was despatched dwelling in September following a reported disagreement with the teaching workers throughout a match in opposition to Zambia.

Hemdani mentioned there was “no problem” surrounding Ait-Nouri’s newest omission, stressing that gamers needed to meet the group’s choice standards. “However, anything is possible in the future, and no one has been permanently excluded,” he mentioned.Algeria will face Togo on November 14 and 17. They lead qualifying Group I with 4 factors from two matches, forward of additional fixtures in a bunch that additionally contains Zambia and Burundi.

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