Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The Algerian national team’s friendly match against Saudi Arabia today presents a crucial opportunity for head coach Vladimir Petković to finalize his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The training camp in Saudi Arabia has been primarily focused on experimentation and assessment, making this match a pivotal moment for player selection.
While securing a victory against a strong Saudi Arabian side, who are preparing for the World Cup, would be a welcome outcome, the primary objective remains evaluating players and solidifying the team composition. Saudi Arabia demonstrated their strength in a recent friendly against Ivory Coast, underscoring the challenge that awaits the Algerian squad.
However, injuries are posing a significant hurdle for the team. Key players such as Ramy Bensebaini and Mohamed Amine Tougai in defense, Hicham Boudaoui and Farès Chaïbi in midfield, and Mohamed Amine Amoura in attack are all sidelined. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane is also unavailable. The absence of these players, many of whom are likely starters, presents a considerable challenge for Petković.
Despite these setbacks, the coach and the team are expected to strive for a positive result. The injuries will undoubtedly influence Petković’s team selection, particularly in midfield and attack. The absence of Boudaoui, confirmed just days before the match, and Amoura, leaves gaps that need to be strategically filled.
Coach Petković is also expected to meet with the president of the Algerian Football Federation, Walid Sadi, soon to discuss preparations for AFCON and future plans for the national team.
