Surprise Call-Up: Benaïssa Yahia Joins the Greens

Forced to adjust his squad following injuries to Jaouen Hadjam and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi, head coach Brahim Hemdani has handed a maiden international call-up to Mantova left-back Benaïssa Yahia.

Injuries to Jaouen Hadjam and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi have forced Algerian national team coach Brahim Hemdani to rethink his plans ahead of the upcoming international window. To fill the void left by the Brighton left-back, Hemdani turned to a relatively unknown name among Algerian supporters: Fahem Benaïssa Yahia. The 24-year-old Mantova defender earns his first senior call-up on the back of impressive performances in Italy. Conversely, no replacement has been summoned for Belloumi, as the coaching staff believes existing attacking options specifically Anis Hadj Moussa and Farès Ghedjemis are sufficient to cover his absence.

Currently playing in Italy’s Serie B with Mantova, Benaïssa-Yahia joined the club in January 2026 following a stint in Portugal with Casa Pia. He has steadily earned his manager's trust to become a key figure for a side currently sitting fourth in the league after eleven matchdays. Across all competitions this season, the Algerian defender has made ten appearances (eight in Serie B and two in the Coppa Italia), logging 895 minutes while contributing a goal and an assist that highlight his attacking drive down the left flank.

Developed at Stade de Reims, Benaïssa-Yahia built his career progressively through French lower-tier sides Lyon-La Duchère (2022) and Villefranche Beaujolais before making his first move abroad to Casa Pia in January 2024. Following a successful loan spell at Mantova from January to June 2026, the Italian club triggered his permanent buy-out option last July. Now valued at €1.2 million by Transfermarkt, the versatile left-sided defender will look to seize his first taste of international football and secure a long-term spot in Brahim Hemdani's squad.

Wissem Chergui