Football
KweséESPN Reporter 6y

Algeria haven't closed the door on Feghouli, M'Bolhi

High-profile duo Sofiane Feghouli and Rais M'Bolhi still have a future with the Algeria national side despite being overlooked during Rabah Madjer's tenure to date.

This is according to Les Fennecs' assistant coach Meziane Ighil, who has insisted that the technical team haven't closed the door to any player.

"M'Bolhi is making his comeback at a very high level," Ighil told the national radio station, as per DZFoot. "He [had] played eight matches without defeat [before being beaten 4-2 by Al Ittihad on Friday].

"He's enjoying an excellent start to the season.

"Feghouli is too with Galatasaray," he continued. "The doors of the national side are open to any players who are capable of adding something to the national team."

The duo have been notable in their absence from Madjer's last two squads, having previously been key figures in the Algeria setup.

They were both overlooked for the recent international break, as Algeria thumped Tanzania 4-1 before being defeated 2-1 by Iran.

Feghouli and M'Bolhi were also absent as Madjer's tenure began with a 1-1 draw against Nigeria, in Africa's World Cup qualifying programme, and a 3-0 friendly triumph over the Central African Republic.

31-year-old goalkeeper M'Bolhi signed for Saudi top-tier side Al-Ettifaq as a free agent in January, and has enjoyed a strong start to life in the Middle East.

Before Friday's defeat, he had won five and drawn three of his last eight matches, conceding seven goals.

Feghouli struggled to make an impact at West Ham United, where he never truly appeared to have the trust of Slaven Bilic, but is enjoying something of a renaissance at Galatasaray.

The 28-year-old has scored six goals and contributed seven assists for the Turkish giants this year, as they find themselves two points off Istanbul Basaksehir having played 28 matches.

Algeria have been pitted alongside Benin, The Gambia and Togo in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group D, and will continue their campaign against the Scorpions in September.

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