Algeria U23: Saifi selects five new dual nationals as Boudache returns

Rafik Saifi has named five players eligible for Algeria for the first time in his squad for the Under-23 team’s opening camp of the season, while Kail Boudache has been rewarded for his impressive start to the campaign.

Algeria U23 will face South Africa in two friendlies on 30 September and 3 October. Saifi has chosen a balanced group featuring 11 players from the domestic game and about a dozen based in Europe.

Boudache, the 20-year-old OL winger, has been included for a second successive camp after making his Algeria U23 debut at the end of May and beginning of June. He has made nine appearances for the club this season.

He is joined by OM right-back Kelyann Bezahaf, also 20, and Adil Bourabaa, who has emerged as one of the early-season standouts at Le Mans.

Bourabaa has made five offensive contributions in five appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists. The 21-year-old midfielder is currently the most decisive player at this stage of Ligue 1, alongside Lassine Sinayoko, Kamory Doumbia and Florian Thauvin.

The squad also includes five dual nationals receiving their first Algeria U23 call-ups.

The group is led by Yanis Senhadji, a 21-year-old striker playing for Real Jaen in Spain’s third tier. Senhadji won the European Under-19 Championship with Spain two years ago but chose Algeria several days ago.

Anis Ouzenadji, a 19-year-old left-back at Troyes, has also ended his association with France, for whom he previously played at Under-19 level. He has started the season as a regular in the Troyes side, making his fifth start in five possible Ligue 1 appearances on Saturday and supplying an assist.

Toulouse centre-back Gaetan Bakhouche, 21, is another first-time call-up. He featured regularly with the club’s reserve team and was frequently included in the professional squad last season, although he did not play.

The other two newcomers are 21-year-old striker Karim Boutera of Degerfors and Islam Ramla, a forward with Amiens in Ligue 3.

Among the Algeria-based players is MC Alger striker Ben Ahmed Kohili. The 21-year-old won a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games last month and finished as the competition’s leading scorer.

Kohili will make his U23 debut after previously representing Algeria at Under-20 and Under-21 level. His inclusion adds to the sense that Saifi is building a promising generation with the Olympic Games as a long-term target.