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Summary of Upcoming Algeria vs. Rwanda Match
Overview
Algeria’s national A’ football team, managed by Madjid Bougherra, is set to play an important friendly match against Rwanda on Monday at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida. This match serves as a critical opportunity to finalize the enlarged squad ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which has been postponed to 2025 and will take place from August 2 to 30 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Preparation and Objectives
Bougherra emphasized the significance of this stage for evaluating players before deciding on the final roster for CHAN. With the inclusion of fresh talents like Kohili, Mechid, and Bekkour, the team aims to blend youth with experience. "This training camp is the last chance for us to assess players before we finalize the extended list for CHAN," Bougherra stated in a video interview with the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
Squad Updates
For the upcoming friendly, Bougherra has called up 23 players, including only one new face, Achraf Abada, a central defender from ASO Chlef. However, the coach will have to manage without some key players due to injuries. Meziane was ruled out due to a recent injury, and Benkhemassa’s ongoing condition has led to a strategic decision to rest him for a full recovery. Additionally, Mahious will not participate as he is in the middle of a transfer; this opens space for other players such as Berkane and Kohili to gain valuable playing time.
Game Expectations
The match against Rwanda is viewed as a serious test to gauge the team’s capacity to handle high-intensity gameplay. Bougherra described the Rwandan team as disciplined and adaptive, making this friendly an invaluable experience. Despite the match’s exhibition nature, the Algeria coach stressed, "Our goal is to win, regardless of the player lineup."
Group Dynamics for CHAN
In the CHAN tournament, Algeria finds itself in Group C, where it will face Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and South Africa, the latter qualifying through playoffs. This mix of opponents presents unique challenges and allows the team to further refine its strategy.
Broader Competitions
In addition to CHAN, the Algerian squad will also participate in the FIFA Arab Cup, scheduled for December 1-18, 2025, in Qatar. Algeria has been placed in Group D, alongside Iraq and the winners of the playoffs between Bahrain-Djibouti and Lebanon-Sudan.
Conclusion
Ultimately, this friendly match against Rwanda represents more than just a preparation game; it is a pivotal moment for Algeria’s national A’ team as they gear up for two significant international competitions. By utilizing this last trial, Bougherra aims to establish a cohesive squad that merges youthful vigor with seasoned skill, setting a robust foundation for future challenges.
