The national team of Algeria concluded its training camp for September with a total of 4 points, after winning against Botswana (3-1) at the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou, and then drawing against Guinea (0-0) at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca. With these results, the "Greens" continued to lead Group 7 with 19 points, ahead of Mozambique and Uganda (15 points each), with two rounds remaining in the qualifiers.

Despite the positive outcome, there was significant criticism directed at national coach Vladimir Petkovic, regarding some players who did not perform well enough to justify their place in the squad, such as Mahrez, Benrahma, Zerrouki, and Tougai, as well as his controversial tactical choices.

The most prominent of these criticisms was related to the local player file. After the injury of Ait Nouri and the departure of Hegem, it was expected that the standout left-back of CR Belouizdad, Noufel Khasaf, would be called up to replace the absences. However, Petkovic preferred to change players' positions, as he deployed Ben Sabaini as a left-back, then brought in Ahmed Toubba in the same position despite him being a central defender. This was seen as an indirect message that the Swiss coach does not consider local players in his plans.

This approach could harm several names that have stood out in the national league, such as Ayoub Ghazala (Mouloudia Algiers), who has shown consistent performances both regionally and locally, or Ben Khamasa and Boukhenshoush, who are performing better than Zerrouki, according to observers. The absence of players like Badr Eddine Bouanani, Amin Chikha, Yalan Qabal, and Sofiane Bendebka from real employment remains puzzling, especially since their statistics surpass some of the current players.