"He wanted to play the AFCON": Bouanani's disappointment

Africa 19 December 2025 at 04:28

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

Badredine Bouanani will have to watch the next Africa Cup of Nations from afar. The young Algerian winger was not selected by Vladimir Petkovic in the squad called up to compete at AFCON 2025—a decision that confirms a now well-established pecking order on the flanks of the Fennecs' attack. At just 21, the Algerian international is paying the price for limited playing time at club level and fierce competition for his position.

Read also: Morocco wins the 2025 Arab Cup! (Official)

This omission has inevitably left its mark. Speaking at a press conference, his Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß didn’t hide the player’s disappointment:

"He was obviously disappointed, because he would have liked to play an AFCON with his country."

The frustration is all the greater given Bouanani already has several caps and harbors clear ambitions with Algeria.

For his club, however, this situation could turn into an opportunity.

"The chance to integrate even more with us," Hoeneß emphasized,

urging patience and continued development. Bouanani, for his part, remains determined to prove himself—both for club and country.

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