Algeria vs Gambia – The List

February 15th, 2012 | by: Kazi | Comments Off

Finally, we will see them play each other.

So the list was released today. 24 players as opposed to the usual 23 or 25, with 4 reserve players. Before we get into dissecting it, let’s refresh our memories about it:

Goalkeepers:
• Faouzi Chaouci
• Rais Ouheb M’Bolhi
• Azzedine Doukha
• Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche*

Defenders:
• Liassine Bentaiba Cadamuro
• Djamel Eddine Mesbah
• Madjid Bougherra
• Antar Yahia
• Mehdi Mostefa
• Ismael Bouzid
• Carl Medjani
• Mohamed Rabie Meftah

Midfielders:
• Ryad Boudebouz
• Foued Kadir
• Sofiane Feghouli
• Mehdi Lacen
• Hassan Yebda
• Khaled Lemmouchia
• Hocine Metref
• Adlene Guedioura

Forwards:
• Abdelmoumene Djabou
• Mohamed Amine Aoudia
• Hameur Bouazza
• Mohamed Chalali
• Karim Matmour
• Abdelkader Ghezzal*
• Kamel Fethi Ghilas*
• Islam Slimani*

So there you have the list. Some things stick out more than a chilli in a trifle. One thing that genuinely bugs me, is the absence of Karim Ziani. Out of all the Gulf players, Ziani is by far the most consistent and best on form out of them all, plus the level to which he is important to the team on a psychological level is incredible. So Vahid evidently has a very good reason for not calling him up.

Another thing that bugs me, is the absence of the Piraeus duo, Abdoun and Djebbour. Djebbour has been explained that he was injured at the time when convocations were issued, meaning had he been called up the club could have rejected it. Abdoun however is a strange case. But it may be that with the players on form already called up to play on the wings – Boudebouz, Kadir, Djabou and Matmour – Abdoun’s form just didn’t cut it for Vahid.

But then why call up Bouazza? He hardly plays for Millwall and when he does he is often lacklustre. Maybe for his input off the bench. But even then how effective will that be after weeks of no action on the field?

All these are questions Vahid will hopefully clear up when he has his conference. No doubt he has good reasons for making the choices he has and I trust his decision.

One thing from this list is evidently obvious, we shall not be seeing any change in the employment of tactics. It should remain a 4-3-3 with a holding DM and two spreading CM’s.This has proven efficient for us but now comes our real test of our strength and tactical ability.

What one also needs to remember, is that Algeria has one of the worst records away in sub-Saharan Africa in the entire continent. Our ability to fail to produce abroad has cost us, so now Vahid intends to correct that. Hopefully he can, plus now is as good a time as ever. With players like Aoudia, Djabou, Boudebouz, Feghouli, Kadir, Bentaiba and Mesbah bang on form, we have the potential to do serious damage.

But we must be wary, Gambia are known for the physicality of their play and will not be giving anything up, no bars held. Zaoui, Gaouaoui and Mansouri have all been warning us to take nothing for granted, and to frustrate them into making mistakes.

Predicted lineup:
(4-3-3)

GK: Doukha

LB: Mesbah
CB: Yahia
CB: Bougherra
RB: Bentaiba

DM: Lacen
CM: Kadir/Yebda
CM: Feghouli

LW: Djabou
CF: Aoudia
RW: Boudebouz

Insha Allah kheir.