Madjid Bougherra, the coach of Algeria, has finalised his 26-man squad for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), and important additions have strengthened the Local Fennecs’ bid for continental glory.
CHAN 2024 is scheduled to begin in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda on August 2nd, and Bougherra cut his initial list of 28 players down to 26 players, including some of the nation’s key players, Aymen Mahious, who joins a potent attacking lineup that also includes Meziane, Mechid, and young players Akhrib and Kohili.
In midfield, the presence of seasoned players like Benkhemassa and Draoui offers tactical versatility, while the defence has a familiar spine from elite clubs like USM Algiers and MC Algiers.
Abderaouf Benguit, a midfielder for CR Belouizdad, and Redouane Berkane, a striker, are both believed to have missed out due to injury, and Berkane, who impressed with 10 domestic goals last season, is in advanced talks to join Belgian top-flight club Zulte Waregem, making him ineligible for the local-only tournament.
Bougherra’s final squad reflects a balance of domestic experience and rising talent, but the loss of Berkane, in particular, restricts attacking options. Despite this, the Algeria coach’s squad is regarded as being incredibly strong.
Prior to his upcoming move to Europe, the JS Kabylie forward was predicted to be the tournament’s breakout player.
The Desert Foxes A’, who finished second in the previous domestic tournament, will now try to improve.
Algeria, along with South Africa, Uganda, Guinea, and Niger, has been placed in a competitive Group C.
Algeria is aiming to eliminate the runner-up title this time around as they kick off their CHAN campaign against Uganda.
Algeria Final Squad for CHAN 2024:
Goalkeepers:
Zakaria Bouhalfaya (CS Constantine)
Tarek Bousseder (ES Sétif)
Abderrahmane Medjadel (ASO Chlef)
Defenders:
Saadi Radouani (USM Algiers)
Adam Alilet (USM Algiers)
Ilyes Cheti (USM Algiers)
Réda Hlaimia (MC Algiers)
Ayoub Ghezala (MC Algiers)
Abderrahmane Bekkour (CR Belouizdad)
Naoufel Khacef (CR Belouizdad)
Fares Nechat Djabri (JS Kabylie)
Achref Abada (ASO Chlef)
Midfielders:
Akram Bouras (MC Algiers)
Mohamed Benkhemassa (MC Algiers)
Zakaria Draoui (MC Algiers)
Bilal Boukerchaoui (CR Belouizdad)
Messala Merbah (CS Constantine)
Mehdi Boudjemaa (JS Kabylie)
Forwards:
Abderrahmane Meziane (CR Belouizdad)
Aymen Mahious (CR Belouizdad)
Mehdi Merghem (USM Algiers)
Diaa Eddine Mechid (USM Algiers)
Abdenour Belhocini (CS Constantine)
Soufiane Bayazid (MC Algiers)
Lahlou Akhrib (JS Kabylie)
Ben Ahmed Kohili (Paradou AC)
Source:Africa Top Sports.