The Algerian national team will face Mauritania next Tuesday in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations, deprived of the services of midfielder Ismail Bennacer, according to what Algerian official television announced.
The Italian Milan player missed the match against Burkina Faso on Saturday, which ended in a 2-2 draw. But he started in the first match against Angola, which ended in a 1-1 draw, before being substituted in the 80th minute.
The midfielder has participated in 5 matches in the Italian League this season so far, having just recovered from knee surgery that he underwent at the end of last season.
❌ Bennacer officially misses the Mauritania match in the African Cup. The player suffers from an adductor muscle injury.
Tahura, God willing, Ismail 🤲 pic.twitter.com/wR04VuM2K4— 🇩🇿 Osmani Kamel (@kamouk16) January 20, 2024
Bin Nasser returned to the Milan squad at the end of December after an absence that lasted 7 months.
It is not yet clear whether Ben Nasser’s injury is the same as the one he suffered in recent months, or whether it is a different injury.
Desert Warriors coach Djamel Belmadi had previously reassured Bennacer’s condition, and confirmed that he would be highly qualified to play the Mauritania match next Tuesday.
🗓️ May 2023: A severe injury to Ismail Bennacer in the cruciate ligament.
🗓️ December 2023: #Bin Nasser He returns to his team roster #Milan To face #Frosinoni On the anniversary of his birthArmed with his strong determination, Ismail overcomes the injury and returns to the field 🔝#A stadium_for_all_sports pic.twitter.com/Tm2x4gSc8C
— winwin (@winwinallsports) December 1, 2023
Belmadi said during the press conference after the Burkina Faso match: “Ben Nasser is suffering from some muscle pain. He suffered some from it on our last day.”
The Italian club Milan announced, in May, that its Algerian international player had undergone knee surgery, after suffering an injury during the team’s match against Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
Bin Nasser played 46 international matches with his country’s national team and was chosen as the best player in the African Cup of Nations in the 2019 edition, which was crowned “Desert Warriors.”
Defender Ramy Bensebaini will also miss the next match against Mauritania due to suspension.
Algeria occupies third place in Group D with two points from two draws, two points behind Angola and Burkina Faso, while Mauritania is at the bottom of the group with no points.
