Nais Djouahra has emerged as a potential surprise inclusion in Brahim Hemdani’s first Algeria squad after moving to the top of the Portuguese league’s assist charts.
The 26-year-old has created four goals in six matches for Arouca this season, with his latest assist coming in Sunday’s defeat by Santa Clara. That form continues the progress made during his previous campaign, when he scored six goals and supplied three assists in 34 league appearances.
Although Djouahra remains relatively unfamiliar to some Algeria supporters, his performances could earn him a place in Hemdani’s first selection. The new manager appears ready to increase competition for places as he prepares for his first gathering of players.
Born in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Djouahra is a French-Algerian player who spent six years in the Saint-Etienne academy. His career has taken several turns since leaving ASSE in 2018, having initially been held back by concerns about his slight build.
He joined Real Sociedad after departing Saint-Etienne and reached La Liga after establishing himself with the club’s reserve side. A loan spell at Mirandes followed, before he moved to Rijeka in 2022. In between those two stages, he also played in Spain’s second division with Leganes.
Djouahra was part of the Rijeka team that won the Croatian title in 2025. He then joined Arouca as a free agent, where he appears to have found the regular playing time and consistency that have not always been available to him earlier in his career.
At 1.71m, Djouahra is a quick and technically gifted winger who is difficult to contain in tight areas. A right-footed player who generally operates from the left, he looks to attack defenders, cut inside and create openings with his dribbling. He is also capable of playing on the right or moving into a more central role.
That versatility, combined with his quality in the final pass, could appeal to Hemdani. The coach may particularly value players able to disrupt a deep defensive block.
Djouahra faces strong competition for a place in the Algeria squad. Mohamed Amoura, Ilan Kebbal and Adil Boulbina are ahead of him among the left-sided options, while Anis Hadj Moussa and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi are considered the leading candidates to succeed Riyad Mahrez on the right.
Belloumi has strengthened his position in that contest, making the path into the squad more difficult for Djouahra. The Arouca winger also has no international experience and plays for a less prominent club than several of his rivals.
His current form nevertheless gives Hemdani a compelling reason to consider him. Djouahra has already expressed his desire to represent Algeria, while his career so far reflects his ability to overcome setbacks.