The Algerian U23 national football team has commenced a crucial training camp in Annaba as part of its intensive preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers scheduled for September. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) confirmed the camp's initiation, highlighting its significance for the young squad.
Algerian U23 football team training camp
Head coach Rafik Saïfi has named a provisional squad of 25 players, drawing talent from both domestic leagues and international clubs. This preparatory phase is set to include two friendly matches against Mauritania's U23 team on June 5th and 9th at the 19-May-1956 Stadium in Annaba. The technical staff intends to utilize these encounters to meticulously assess the team's readiness and fine-tune strategies ahead of the continental qualifiers.
The establishment of this U23 squad is strategically aimed at securing qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Algeria's last appearance in the Olympic football tournament was at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games in Brazil.
The 25 players called up for the camp are:
Goalkeepers: Yasser Zitouni (USM Khenchela), Samy Merzouk (Lille OSC), Mounir Aziria (Espérance de Mostaganem).
Defenders: Slimani Hamzaoui Hilan (O.Marseille), Safi Eddine Atmania (USM Alger), Abdelhak Benidder (Paradou AC), Anthony Khelifa (Bude-Jovice), Yacine Chaïb (RWDM Bruxelles), Faïz Belgourai (MB Rouissat), Anis Fatahine (Paris FC).
Midfielders: Adil BourAbaa (Le Mans FC), Imad Eddine Diha (USBiskra), Salah Eddine Bouziani (Paradou AC), Kail Boudache (OGC Nice, France), Mokrane Bentoumi (Aubagne FC, France), Mohamed Bouderbala (USM Alger), Abdelmalek Klaleche (CR Belouizdad), Lahlo Akhrib (JS Kabylie), Willsem Boussaïd (LB Châteauroux, France), Mattheo Guendez (Nancy).
Forwards: Mohamed Béchikh (Grenoble Foot 38), Ryan Kolli (Queens Park Rangers), Darryll Benlahlou (Olympique Lyonnais), Mohamed Ramdaoui (Paradou AC).
Related topics: Algeria U23 football, AFCON qualifiers, Annaba training camp, Algerian Olympic football, Rafik Saïfi, youth football development
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