Uganda Cranes get breather as Algeria star players miss out on shortlist

In preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to take place next month, Algeria national team coach Vladimir Petkovic has selected a 25-man roster to play against Guinea and Uganda.
The most notable absence from Petkovic’s team that was revealed this afternoon is Captain Riyad Mahrez.

The former Manchester City striker, who is presently a member of Al Ahli Saudi in Saudi Arabia, was also absent from Algeria’s March friendlies against South Africa and Bolivia.

Along with the attackers Youcef Belaili and Islam Slimani, Borussia Dortmund left back Rami Bensabaini has also been left out.

Yacine Brahimi, a veteran striker, will lead the team when Mahrez is not available.

Algeria’s next games are against Guinea on June 6 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers and Uganda on June 10 in Namboole.

Full Squad Algerian Squad

Goalkeepers; Oussama BENBOT (USM Alger, Algeria), Anthony MANDREA (Caen, France), Moustapha ZEGHBA (Damac FC, Saudi Arabia)

DEFENDERS; Rayan AIT-NOURI (Wolves, England), Youcef ATAL (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Kevin GUITOUN (FC Metz, France), Jaouen HADJAM (Young Boys, Switzerland), Chouhaib KEDDAD (CR Belouizdad, Algeria), Mohamed Amine MADANI (CS Constantine, Algeria), Aissa MANDI (Villarreal, Spain), Mohamed Amine TOUGAI (Esperance, Tunisia)