Hemdani explains the absence of Luca Zidane and considers the possibility of Bounedjah.
Brahim Hemdani did not shy away from the question. During the press conference, he was asked about a topic that concerned all journalists: why is Luca Zidane still excluded now that his suspension is behind him? The coach's answer can be summed up in one word: the pitch.
There are no sanctions or personal conflicts. The head of the Algeria national team refocused the debate on a quantitative criterion, that of minutes played at the club. “I made my choice based on sporting criteria. In this position, which is truly unique, I needed to select from three goalkeepers with the maximum playing time,” he stated.
The coach elaborated on his explanation. According to him, the three goalkeepers selected are precisely those who have played the most since the last gathering. “That is the only reason I made this choice,” he reaffirmed, dismissing any interpretation outside the sporting realm.
This discourse will not surprise those who have followed the coach since his arrival. From his first public appearance, he stated that the door remains open to all internationals and that no disciplinary issues have influenced his decisions.
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Bounedjah still under the coach's scrutiny
The other sensitive topic concerned the attack. Baghdad Bounedjah, long essential in attack, is also going through a waiting phase. Again, Hemdani emphasized that his exclusion is neither permanent nor personal.
The rest of his response resembles a promise. “One thing is certain, we continue to closely monitor the player's progress. And when I judge that he can add value, I will call him up without hesitation.” The subject is therefore not closed.
An Algerian attack still searching for benchmarks
Finding a worthy successor to the former Al-Sadd striker has proven to be a real challenge for several months. The staff is conducting multiple trials, examining different profiles, without a clear first-choice emerging in the opponent's box.
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This search is part of a broader context. The coach has already explained that he spends a lot of time convincing several dual nationals still undecided between two selections, proving that the offensive overhaul goes beyond just Bounedjah's case.
On the accounting front, the Greens remain in a favorable position in their group for the qualifiers for the CAN 2027. However, the defensive vulnerabilities observed in recent matches remind us that the margin is narrow. Hemdani, for his part, continues to apply his approach: club performances, nothing else.
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