Algeria, gearing up for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup, might have to do without their midfield maestro, Ismaël Bennacer.
A return to the pitch isn’t likely anytime soon. Suffering from an injury during the Champions League semi-final against Inter and having undergone surgery for a cartilage lesion in his right knee, Ismaël Bennacer was predicted to be sidelined for a considerable period. An initial estimate of six months’ absence was put forward. However, according to Sky Sports, the midfielder is not expected to make his comeback before early 2024. The Africa Cup may be off the table
This news comes as a blow to Rossoneri and the fans of the Algerian national team. Indeed, Bennacer could miss half of the 2023-2024 season, and also Algeria’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for January 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire.
The potential absence of a starter, who might miss the upcoming Africa Cup, is not overly concerning for Djamel Belmadi. The coach explained the need to adjust to these situations during the last training camp for the Green Team: “Of course, I would like to have Bennacer for the next Africa Cup. However, I cannot dwell on this if he is absent. We will work on filling his position, exploring other options. If he returns on time, thank God, but if not, we must be ready.”