Algiers – As the Algerian national team intensifies preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), concerns arise regarding the fitness of defender Chergui. He is almost certain to miss Algeria’s opening match against Sudan.
Chergui has reportedly been sidelined for nearly three weeks, a situation confirmed at the start of the team’s training camp. National coach Vladimir Petkovic divided the players who arrived at Sidi Moussa yesterday into two groups. One group, including Chergui, did not participate in full training, focusing instead on individualized work. The other group, comprised of players who completed their club commitments earlier, engaged in a regular training session.
The full 27-player squad is expected to convene today, marking Petkovic’s first opportunity to conduct a comprehensive training session encompassing physical, technical, and tactical aspects. He is expected to use this session to further refine his starting lineup, building upon his existing preliminary vision.
Sources close to the national team indicate that Petkovic will carefully monitor the physical condition of his players, even with the entire squad assembled. He acknowledges the varying levels of fitness within the team. For example, Mahrez has been inactive for three weeks, while Hadj Moussa played his last match only recently. Petkovic aims to optimize Mahrez’s physical condition after each training session, aiming for peak performance by the team’s first training session in Morocco. This individualized approach extends to other players as well.
The initial training session involved 27 players, with Chergui absent. His absence and lack of physical activity confirm reports that he has not resumed training with his club. Chergui will undergo a period of rest to facilitate recovery. While the exact duration of his rest remains unspecified, it strongly suggests his unavailability for the crucial match against Sudan, which is now only a week away. Even if Chergui returns to training within a few days, his readiness for the match remains highly questionable. The team will continue its intensive training schedule in preparation for the tournament. DZWatch will provide further updates as they become available.
