Algeria Leaves Luca Zidane Out of Squad for Togo Qualifiers

Algeria named a 26-player squad on November 5 for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane absent from the list. Coach Brahim Hemdani's selection includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards for the two matches scheduled in November. The Algerian football federation described the selection as its squad for the “third and fourth rounds of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.” Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil and Abdelatif Ramdane are the three goalkeepers named. The defensive group includes Ramy Bensebaïni, Jaouen Hadjam, Ahmed Touba and Sohaib Naïr, while Rayan Aït-Nouri is also absent from the published roster. Saint-Étienne confirmed in its own announcement that Naïr was among the 26 players called up by Hemdani. Hicham Boudaoui, Nabil Bentaleb, Farès Chaïbi and Ibrahim Maza are among the selected midfielders. The attacking group includes Mohamed Amine Amoura, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa and Amin Chiakha. Algeria will host Togo at Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou on November 14. The return fixture is scheduled for November 17 at Kégué Stadium in Lomé, Togo, according to the federation's announcement and the club's fixture listing.