The Algerian national team is facing a major goalkeeping crisis ahead of the FIFA World Cup, forcing coach Vladimir Petkovic to reconsider veteran goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, who had previously retired from international football.
Benbot, 31, stepped away from the national team after the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he failed to make an appearance despite being included in the squad.
Reports in Algerian media suggested the goalkeeper was frustrated by his lack of playing time, leading to tension between him and Petkovic.
However, a growing injury crisis among Algeria’s goalkeepers has now reopened the door for the experienced shot-stopper to return to the squad ahead of the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Benbot’s impressive performances for USM Alger have strengthened his case for a recall.
The goalkeeper has been instrumental in guiding the club to the CAF Confederation Cup final, where they are set to face Egyptian giants Zamalek SC in the first leg on Saturday.
Algeria’s problems began after first-choice goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea was ruled out of the World Cup following a shoulder dislocation suffered during training with French club Caen.
Mandrea had been Algeria’s preferred goalkeeper for the past five years, but his situation became more complicated after Caen’s relegation to the French third division, with Petkovic previously insisting he would not select players competing at such a low level.
Further setbacks came with injuries to Luca Zidane and Melvin Mastil.
Zidane, the son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, had emerged as Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the Africa Cup of Nations but struggled with inconsistent performances.
The 27-year-old later suffered fractures to his jaw and chin while playing for Spanish side Granada in the second division.
Mastil, who earned his first senior cap for Algeria in March, has also been sidelined after undergoing hernia surgery, leaving Petkovic with very limited options between the posts.
Another concern for Algeria is the form of Alexis Guendouz, who moved into the starting role before the AFCON tournament after Zidane switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria.
Guendouz suffered an injury shortly before the competition and has struggled to reclaim his starting place at league leaders MC Alger since returning.
Petkovic’s desperation to solve the goalkeeping situation was evident in March when he handed a surprise call-up to teenage goalkeeper Kilian Belazzoug for friendly matches against Uruguay and Guatemala.
Despite the call-up, the 19-year-old, who is yet to make a senior appearance for French club Stade Rennais FC, did not feature in either game.
With Algeria’s World Cup preparations gathering pace, attention will now focus on whether Benbot can successfully come out of retirement and provide the stability the Desert Foxes desperately need in goal.
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