Friendlies - Algeria: The final rehearsal before AFCON

Having secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the Algerian national team is now turning its attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. For this last training camp before the tournament, Vladimir Petkovic and the Algerian Football Federation have chosen to prepare in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Fennecs will play two friendly matches there, facing Zimbabwe (November 13) and Saudi Arabia (November 18)—two opponents with very different profiles, but both ideal for testing the Bosnian coach’s tactical plans ahead of the continental showdown.

A cascade of injuries complicates Petkovic’s plans

The preparations, however, are not off to the best start. Ramy Bensebaïni, suffering from lower back pain, has been excused from the camp to fully recover, while Farès Chaïbi was forced to withdraw after sustaining a muscle injury with Eintracht Frankfurt. These absences add to other uncertainties that are disrupting the squad’s stability. Petkovic, already forced to rethink his plans, will have to work with a reshuffled roster for these final two tests.

Fresh faces to reignite momentum

To make up for these absences, the coach has called up some new faces, including the dual-national Benkara and Yacine Titraoui, the former Paradou AC midfielder now at Charleroi. The decision has been praised for its boldness, a sign of fresh energy within a team seeking balance. This November camp will serve as a true dress rehearsal before AFCON, where the Greens will face Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea in succession. Petkovic wants to see a hungry, disciplined squad, capable of turning adversity into collective fuel ahead of the major continental challenge.

Read also: Friendlies - Algeria: A second withdrawal confirmed by the FAF

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

Related teams and leagues

Algeria

Zimbabwe

Saudi Arabia