Algeria’s Injury Woes

A cascade of injuries has hit the Greens, the Algerian football team.
Lazio of Rome’s Mourad Meghni sustained a thigh injury on 16/10/09 during a training session.
On 19/10/09 it was Ranger defender Bougherra’s turn to suffer a knee injury in training.
On 23/10/09 it is Wolfsburg ‘s international midfielder Karim Ziani’s turn as he suffers a muscle torn, guess when? During training.
On 30/10/09 it is Strasbourg international Defender Yassine Bezzaz to sustain a thigh injury playing against Metz, he had to be replaced.
On 3/11/09 it is Bochum’s (Germany) international defender Antar Yahia’s turn to get injured, guess when? You guessed it, during training…… maybe training isn’t that good after all…
We’re only the 6th November, there’s still a week before the Cairo game, plenty of time for more injuries…

It is unfortunate to have four players forced to rest for injuries. Midfielder Yazid Mansouri after being out for a month, after tearing his hamstring, is just back in training and might not have recovered enough for the Cairo game. So what does it mean for the Algerian selection? Well, Algerian coach Saadane still named Meghni, Bougherra and Ziani as part of the 24-man squad for the final World Cup African Group C qualifier against Egypt in Cairo on 14th November which means he is confident to their return to form in time. Furthermore, Algerian fans should not worry as the quality of the other Algerian players is well established and moral is high.