Rafik Saifi is shaping an Algeria U23 side that combines the players who won gold at the Mediterranean Games with young talent developed abroad, as the team prepares for two friendlies against South Africa on 30 September and 3 October.
The squad remains untested in competitive qualification, so it is too early to describe it as an exceptional generation. But the Mediterranean Games triumph has provided a promising foundation as Algeria begin preparing for a potential route to the Olympic Games.
Algeria U21 defeated Morocco on penalties before claiming gold in Taranto, with several players using the tournament to make an impression. Captain Issam Naim, midfielder Salah Eddine Bouziani and Ben Ahmed Kouhili - who scored twice in the final against Tunisia - now share an important success.
Lahlou Akhrib and Mohamed Bouderbala also stood out during the competition. Saifi is already familiar with some of the group, having previously selected several of them for the U23 team. His task will be to turn individual promise into a side capable of coping with the demands of knockout football.
The local group could also be strengthened by Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui, who moved from Paradou to USM Alger this summer, and Yakoub Gassi, a MC Alger full-back who took part in the most recent training camp.
Overseas options
Players based outside Algeria give Saifi further choices. Adil Bourabaa has attracted attention in Ligue 1 with Le Mans after scoring two goals and providing two assists, while Kail Boudache and Rayan Kolli have already been included in previous squads.
Boudache was first called up to the U23 team after deciding to represent Algeria. Now with Lyon, he was forced to leave the June camp because of injury and is still waiting to make his debut for the Espoirs.
The forward has nevertheless made clear his commitment to Algeria, recently saying he dreams of playing at a World Cup with the national team.
Yanis Senhadji, who won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Spain, has also been called up for the camp in South Africa. Anis Ouzenadji, a left-back at Troyes following the club’s promotion to Ligue 1, has been mentioned as a possible addition, although he should not yet be regarded as part of the squad.
Algeria will be exempt from the first qualifying round and will face the winner of Malawi–Eswatini in November. Victory there would set up a final qualifying round in March 2027, with a place at the CAN U23 in Egypt potentially at stake. That tournament represents a step towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The prospect is significant for Algeria, who have appeared in the Olympic football tournament only twice, in 1980 and 2016.
The upcoming friendlies will give Saifi the opportunity to develop understanding between the Taranto champions, established U23 players and newcomers. Qualification is far from assured, but the team now has the chance to show whether its encouraging collection of talent can develop into a competitive unit.