Luca Zidane Excluded from Algeria AFCON Squad Amid Selection Shift

Algeria’s national football team head coach, Brahim Hemdani, has confirmed that goalkeeper Luca Zidane will not be part of the squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Togo. The decision marks a notable shift for the player, who only recently committed his international future to the North African nation.

The Rationale Behind the Selection

According to reports from the Daily Post Nigeria, Hemdani clarified that the exclusion of the goalkeeper was strictly “based on sporting criteria.” While Zidane has faced recent challenges—including a two-game suspension and time sidelined due to injury—the head coach emphasized that the primary motivation for the roster change was the need for consistency in performance and availability.

Hemdani explained his tactical requirement to the press, stating: “I need to have three goalkeepers who were getting as much playing time as possible.” This focus on active match fitness appears to be the deciding factor in the technical staff’s decision to look elsewhere for the upcoming international window.

New Faces in the Goalkeeping Ranks

In place of Zidane, the Algerian coaching staff has opted to call up a trio of alternatives to bolster the squad. The selected goalkeepers include:

• Oussama Benbot: Representing USM Alger.
• Melvin Mastil: Currently playing for the Swiss club Lausanne-Sport.
• Abdelatif Ramdane: Representing MC Alger.

These selections reflect Hemdani’s stated desire to prioritize players who are currently integrated into their respective club rotations, ensuring that the national team has reliable options between the posts for the high-stakes AFCON qualifying matches.

Background on Zidane’s International Status

Luca Zidane, the son of legendary French football icon Zinedine Zidane, has been a subject of significant interest since his transition to the Algerian national team. He officially switched his sporting nationality in September 2025 to represent Algeria, citing his family’s ancestral roots in the country. His integration into the Fennecs squad was viewed as a major development for the team’s depth, though this latest omission highlights the competitive nature of the selection process under Hemdani.

Conclusion

The exclusion of Luca Zidane from the AFCON qualifying squad underscores the emphasis head coach Brahim Hemdani is placing on current club form and consistent playing time. As Algeria prepares to face Togo, the technical staff has signaled that no player’s position is guaranteed, opting instead for a roster of goalkeepers currently active in their domestic and international club environments. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the long-term international trajectory of Zidane as he works to regain his place in the national setup.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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