Algeria have added African Confederation Cup winner Oussama Chita to their squad for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in a second change to their original selection for the game in neutral Cameroon.
Algeria met Uganda in Douala in their Group F qualifier after Uganda’s stadia were ruled unfit for international competition by the Confederation of African football.
Algeria, who have a 100 per cent per cent record in the group after their opening four matches, have already qualified for the final but Uganda are in a three-way battle with Niger and Tanzania for the other berth.
After summoning Haris Belkebla on Monday to replace injured Hicham Boudaoui, coach Djamel Belmadi called in Chita as a second reinforcement. The defensive midfielder from USM Alger, who beat Young Africans of Tanzania last month to win the African confederation Cup, replaces Victor Lekhal.
“Due to the uncertainty surrounding the participation of midfielder Victor Lekhal, who feels some muscular discomfort, the technical staff of the national team has called in Chita,” the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said in a statement.
Chita is back in the Algerian squad after a five-year absence. A few weeks after celebrating his first twos cap against Togo in November 2018 and Qatar one month later, he suffered a major setback with a cruciate ligament injury. Since then, he had not been called up but his performances in helping USMA edge Yanga for the Confederation Cup title have convinced Belmadi that he can still play at international level.
Belkebla, who is at the end of his contract with French club Stade Brest, has a chance to impress as he looks for a new club next season.
After facing Uganda on Sunday, Algeria will return home to take on neighbours Tunisia in a friendly on Tuesday.