Algerian international midfielder, Fares Shaibi, will miss the upcoming friendly matches against Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for November 13th and 18th respectively. The Aïntracht Frankfurt player was initially expected to join the national team camp, which commences today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) officially announced Shaibi’s absence due to a muscular injury. He joins fellow national team player, Ramy Bensebaini, who was previously excused from the camp due to injury.
According to the FAF statement, Shaibi sustained a thigh injury during his club’s match against Mainz on Sunday, in the tenth round of the German Bundesliga. Shaibi started the match, which Aïntracht Frankfurt won 1-0, but was forced to leave the field at halftime due to the injury.
DZWatch understands that the coaching staff is currently evaluating potential replacements for Shaibi in the squad. The absence of the talented midfielder is a blow to Algeria’s preparations for the upcoming matches.
The friendly matches are crucial for head coach Djamel Belmadi as he assesses his squad and fine-tunes his tactics ahead of important upcoming competitions. The games offer a valuable opportunity to experiment with different formations and give playing time to fringe players.
DZWatch will continue to provide updates on the Algerian national team’s preparations and any further developments regarding player availability.
Stay tuned for more updates.
