Hamdaoui considers bringing Bounedjah back to Algeria national team

Ibrahim Hamdani, coach of the Algeria national team, along with his assistant Antar Yahia, is studying the possibility of bringing striker Baghdad Bounedjah back into the ranks of the "Greens" in the near future, after recent matches revealed the team's need for a pure striker with experience and the ability to capitalize on opportunities.

According to media reports, Hamdani has been convinced, after his first two training camps under the national team, of the importance of relying on a striker with Bounedjah's attributes, especially after Amine Chiakha and Mounsef Bakrar failed to score during the three matches against Zambia, Burundi, and Niger.

Despite the modest level of the opponents, Chiakha and Bakrar failed to find the net, even though the Algeria national team scored seven goals during those matches, without any contribution from the duo. This prompted the coaching staff to reassess their options in the striker position, especially since Hamdani gave the players a chance to prove their abilities.

Amin Chiakha gained more playing time following the injury of Amine Gouiri and his departure from the camp, taking advantage of an opportunity he did not have under former coach Vladimir Petković, but he failed to capitalize on it as required.

Hamdani, according to the same source, believes Baghdad Bounedjah is still capable of adding value to the national team, thanks to his international experience, physical strength, and goal-scoring instinct, making him a candidate for a return during the upcoming November camp.

The Algeria national team is set to play two matches against Togo in the third and fourth rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 2027, as the coaching staff aims to enhance their attacking options ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

Baghdad Bounedjah continues to deliver acceptable performances with Al-Shamal in the 2026-2027 season, having scored three goals in the early rounds of the Qatar Stars League. The Algerian striker joined Al-Shamal in the summer of 2024, following the end of his long stint with Al-Sadd.

Baghdad Bounedjah finished the 2024-2025 season with 18 goals in the Qatari league, placing him high in the top scorers' ranking, before scoring nine goals during the last season, a tally that reflects his continued contribution to his team's attacking efforts.

Al-Shamal's forward has been absent from the first two squads prepared by Hamdani during the September and October camps, but a source close to the situation confirmed to "Ultras Algeria" that his exclusion was not related to any disciplinary issue, denying rumors about placing him on a blacklist due to the Algerian Football Federation's dissatisfaction with his behavior following his omission from the FIFA World Cup 2026 squad.

The source explained that the decision for Bounedjah's absence came as part of the new coach's desire to try other options in the striker position and to give opportunities to young players, primarily Amin Chiakha and Mounsef Bakrar, during the matches against Burundi and Niger, before the results prompted the coaching staff to reconsider utilizing the services of the Al-Shamal striker.

Bounedjah has been left out of the World Cup plans by Petkovic, a decision that has sparked debate among supporters and critics alike, especially given the national team's need for a direct striker following Slimani's departure from the international scene.

Mounsef Bakrar is at risk of missing out on the upcoming matches, while Baghdad Ben Bouali has entered the calculations for the squad.

Mounsef Bakrar is set to lose his place in the Algeria national team squad during the November camp, should Madani decide to reinstate Baghdad Bounedjah, with the possibility of Ben Bouali's return as well, which could increase competition for the striker position.

Amin Chiakha may get another chance to prove himself, but his participation will depend on the readiness of the other forwards, especially Ben Bouali, who could compete with him for his spot if he continues to perform well.