The wait is over for football enthusiasts and fans of Algeria’s national team, the Fennecs. Djamel Belmadi, the national coach, has unveiled his 27-player squad set to represent Algeria in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement, made on December 29, 2023, has ignited excitement and anticipation among Algerian supporters, eager to see their national heroes shine on the African stage.
Algeria: A Contender for Glory
Algeria, the winner of the last edition of the CAN in 2019, enters as one of the top contenders to claim the continental title once again. Impressive performances by the national team in recent international competitions have solidified their reputation as serious contenders.
Coach Djamel Belmadi has assembled a strong and balanced team, featuring talented and experienced players. Among the core team members are well-known names such as Riyad Mahrez, Youcef Atal, Islam Slimani, Baghdad Bounedjah, Ramy Bensebaini, and Aissa Mandi. A highly anticipated return is that of Ismaël Bennacer, who was sidelined for a significant portion of the season but is now ready to represent his country.
Ligue 1 Heroes
Among the 27 selected players, six ply their trade in France’s Ligue 1, a league renowned for its high level of competition. This inclusion underscores the significance of Algerian talent in European football. French supporters will be pleased to see Amine Gouiri, who plays for Stade Rennais, as part of the national team. Anthony Mandrea, the goalkeeper from SM Caen, adds to the presence of Ligue 1 players in the Fennecs’ squad.
A Complete and Solid Squad
Here is the full list of players selected to represent Algeria at CAN 2024:
Goalkeepers:
- Anthony Mandrea (SM Caen)
- Raïs M’Bolhi (CR Belouizdad, ALG)
- Mustapha Benbot (USM Alger, ALG)
Defenders:
- Youcef Atal (OGC Nice)
- Kévin Guitoun (FC Metz)
- Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers, ENG)
- Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United, ENG)
- Aïssa Mandi (Villarreal, ESP)
- Mohamed Amine Tougaï (ES Tunis, TUN)
- Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund, GER)
- Ahmed Touba (Lecce, ITA)
- Zineddine Belaïd (USM Alger, ALG)
Midfielders:
- Nabil Bentaleb (LOSC)
- Sofiane Feghouli (Fatih Karagümrük, TUR)
- Houssem Aouar (AS Roma, ITA)
- Farès Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt, GER)
- Ramiz Zerrouki (Feyenoord Rotterdam, NED)
- Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice)
- Ismaël Bennacer (AC Milan, ITA)
A Promising Team
The squad announced by Djamel Belmadi showcases a well-balanced team with a mix of players competing in different European leagues, promising a variety of playing styles and tactical approaches. Ligue 1 players will bring their experience from high-level competition, while those playing in other European leagues will add their own quality to the mix.
CAN 2024 is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive tournament, featuring many talented teams. The Fennecs of Algeria have shown that they can compete with the best in the continent, and expectations are high for this edition.
Dreams of an Entire Nation
The announcement of Algeria’s official squad for CAN 2024 has generated a wave of excitement and optimism among supporters. Under the guidance of Djamel Belmadi, the Fennecs are gearing up to face the challenge and proudly represent their country on the African stage. Algeria has already demonstrated itself as a world-class team, and all eyes will be on them as they pursue their dream of continental conquest. Algerian fans hope that this edition of CAN will be marked by success and that their national team will bring home the coveted trophy.
