Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 7y

Bordeaux's Adam Ounas included in Algeria squad for Nigeria clash

Algeria coach Georges Leekens has named Bordeaux winger Adam Ounas in his provisional 18-man squad for this month's World Cup qualifier away to Nigeria.

Ounas, 19, is considered a highly rated talent in world football and has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United.

He only recently pledged his international allegiance to Algeria, attending last month's 1-1 home draw against Cameroon as a spectator.

His paperwork has finally come through from FIFA and the youngster is now set to make his senior debut against Nigeria.

All but one of the squad, defender Hicham Belkaroui, who plays for Esperance in Tunisia, are based in Europe.

Leicester duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani are among four England-based players in the squad, which also includes four players from Ligue 1.

There is no place as yet for Standard Liege's Ishak Belfodil or Rennes duo Mehdi Zeffane and Ramy Bensebaini, although the latter is yet to be capped for the Fennecs despite having been called up for the last game against Cameroon.

However, Leekens was quick to point out that the list is not final.

"I'll complete the list soon. There are a lot of players that I like that are not on this list," he said. "I can't give names I don't know. I have to watch them."

Algeria face Nigeria on Nov. 12 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

The Super Eagles lead their World Cup qualifying group on three points, with Algeria trailing in joint-second with one point after the opening round of matches.

"Have you seen Nigeria attack? Sometimes they can be world class," Leekens added. "I never think of losing, in general."

Algeria squad:

Goalkeeper: Rais M'Bolhi (Antalyaspor).

Defenders: Hicham Belkaroui (Esperance), Liassime Cadamuro-Bentaiba (Servette), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli), Mandi (Leganes), Carl Medjani (Leganes).

Midfielders: Adlene Guedioura (Watford), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon), Saphir Taider (Bologna), Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke), Yacine Brahimi (FC Porto), Ryad Boudebouz (Montpellier), Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham).

Attackers: Islam Slimani (Leicester), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester), Adam Ounas (Bordeaux), El Arabi Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb), Rachid Ghezzal (Lyon).

^ Back to Top ^