Luca Zidane Benched Against Jordan, Benbot Called to Replace Him

Luca Zidane is unlikely to start in goal for Algeria in their second group match against Jordan on Tuesday at 5am. Following the 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina — who scored a hat-trick in Kansas City in the early hours of Wednesday — debate surrounding the Granada goalkeeper has intensified, and an experienced voice has now weighed in.

Omar Hamenad, a former Algeria international with 30 caps, has openly raised the prospect of Oussama Benbot to Africa Foot. “There is Oussama Benbot, and he is very good,” he said of the USM Alger goalkeeper. “We have another goalkeeper who is performing well, but the final decision rests with the national coach.”

Hamenad nevertheless refused to make Zidane solely responsible for the collapse against the reigning world champions. “That applies to the whole team. We shouldn’t single him out. Nobody was at their level,” he said with nuance, before sending a clear message to coach Vladimir Petkovic.

“We absolutely must call on other players and have confidence in those who performed well in previous matches. Whoever plays, they must show something different,” insisted the former international, concluding with an unambiguous directive: “From now on, the watchword is victory, no matter the opponent.”

Algeria, with their backs against the wall after this opening defeat, cannot afford another slip-up if they want to keep their World Cup 2026 qualification hopes alive in this group.