Luca Zidane Set for AFCON Spotlight as Algeria Lose First-Choice Goalkeeper
Algeria could hand a major Africa Cup of Nations opportunity to Luca Zidane after first-choice goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Guendouz suffered a knee injury in domestic action earlier this week and was not included in the 28-man squad named on Saturday for AFCON 2025 in Morocco. His absence leaves Zidane well placed to start between the posts for the Desert Foxes.
The 27-year-old, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, made his Algeria debut in October during a World Cup qualifier after switching international allegiance. Having previously represented France at youth level, Zidane qualifies for Algeria through his grandparents, who hail from the Kabylie region.
Currently playing for Granada in Spain’s second division, Zidane is expected to be ahead of Oussama Benbot and recalled goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea in the pecking order as Algeria prepare for the finals.
Mandrea Recall, Gouiri Misses Out
Mandrea’s inclusion comes after a surprise return to the squad, having previously been overlooked when head coach Vladimir Petkovic expressed reservations about selecting a goalkeeper playing in France’s third tier. Mandrea’s club, Caen, were relegated from Ligue 2 last season.
Up front, Algeria welcome back Baghdad Bounedjah, the scorer of the decisive goal in the 2019 AFCON final against Senegal.
However, Amine Gouiri is a notable absentee. The Marseille attacker requires shoulder surgery following an injury sustained in October and is not expected to return until February, ruling him out of AFCON for the second consecutive edition.
Group Challenge Awaits
Algeria have been drawn into Group E, where they will face Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan as they chase a second continental title.
Algeria AFCON 2025 Squad
Goalkeepers:
Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Luca Zidane (Granada), Anthony Mandrea (Caen)
Defenders:
Ryan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City), Youcef Atal (Al Sadd), Zineddine Belaid (JS Kabylie), Rafik Belghani (Hellas Verona), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Chergui (Paris FC), Mehdi Dorval (Bari), Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys), Aïssa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Espérance)
Midfielders:
Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad), Ismaël Bennacer (Dinamo Zagreb), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Fares Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen), Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente), Adem Zorgane (Union Saint-Gilloise)
Forwards:
Mohamed Amoura (Werder Bremen), Monsef Bakrar (Dinamo Zagreb), Redouane Berkane (Al Wakrah), Adil Boulbina (Al Duhail), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Shamal), Anis Hadj-Moussa (Feyenoord), Ilan Kebbal (Paris FC), Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli)
With Guendouz sidelined, all eyes will be on Luca Zidane as Algeria begin their AFCON 2025 campaign on Moroccan soil — a defining moment for the Desert Foxes’ new No.1.
