Luca Zidane dropped from Algeria squad for Afcon qualifiers

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane was omitted from the national team roster for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo, announced by coach Brahim Hemdani on Thursday. Zidane, 28, had been absent from the Algerian team due to injury and a two-game suspension following scuffles during a January Afcon match against Nigeria.

Hemdani informed journalists that his exclusion was based on sporting criteria, aiming to field three goalkeepers with ample playing time. Hemdani called up Oussama Benbot from USM Alger, Melvin Mastil of Swiss club Lausanne-Sport, and Abdelatif Ramdane of MC Alger to replace Zidane. The Leganes goalkeeper's absence was unexpected, alongside that of Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was sent home in September due to a reported dispute with the coaching staff during a match against Zambia.

However, Hemdani clarified that there had been no issues after Ait-Nouri's exclusion, emphasizing that criteria determine team selection. Algeria is currently top of Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group I, with four points from two games, and is scheduled to face Togo on November 14 and 17.