Algeria will be without right-back Saadi Radouani for Tuesday’s friendly against Niger after the USM Alger captain left the national team camp with what is understood to be an injury.
The Fennecs face Niger at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou in their final match of the international break, but Radouani’s withdrawal leaves Brahim Hemdani with another selection issue to manage.
The 31-year-old, who has five international caps, was injured during training, according to El-Heddaf TV. He had been one of the regular starters in Algeria’s opening two matches in the CAN 2027 qualifying campaign.
Radouani played 89 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Zambia on 25 September in Tizi-Ouzou. Four days later, he completed the full match as Algeria drew 2-2 with Burundi in Bujumbura.
His return to the squad had come after a two-year absence. Radouani was recalled for the start of Hemdani’s tenure, having last represented Algeria in October 2024 under former manager Vladimir Petkovic.
The defender, previously with JS Kabylie, now joins a growing list of absentees for the Niger fixture. Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent home after his clash with Hemdani, while Nabil Bentaleb withdrew at the start of the international window.
Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa and Adem Zorgane are also unavailable.
There was more encouraging news from Algeria’s latest training session, however. Himad Abdelli and Samir Chergui, who had previously been doubts, are now available after taking part in the full collective session.
Ramy Bensebaini is also considered fit. The defender had been the subject of a false report a few days ago but has no fitness issue affecting his availability for the match.
Tuesday’s game will therefore give Hemdani another opportunity to assess his options after Algeria’s opening CAN 2027 qualifiers, although Radouani’s absence leaves the squad without one of its established choices at right-back.