ES Setif keeper Zeghba only local-based player in Algeria squad to face Benin

ES Setif goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba has been rewarded for his good form in the Caf Champions and is the only home-based player included in the 23-man Algeria squad to play Benin.

Zeghba has played a huge role in helping Setif reach the Champions League last four, notably a string of saves he made to eliminate defending champions Wydad Casablanca in the quarter-finals.

He would have to contend with regular Rais M’Bolhi to start between the posts when Algeria host Benin next Friday, before meeting the same side again away in Cotonou four days later.

Algeria coach Djamal Belmadi has also included Hoffenheim forward Ishak Belfodil who makes a return to the national team, having last featured for the Desert Foxes last year.

Napoli midfielder Adam Ouanas also returns to the national fold, while Nottingham Forest striker Hilal Soudani is out injured. Real Betis midfielder Ryad Boudebouz has been surprisingly left out. Regular faces like Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez, Yacine Brahimi, Islam Slimani, Nabil Bentaleb dominate the squad.

Algeria were held 1-1 away in Gambia in their last match, but still lead Group D where they have four points, the same as Benin.

Algeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Rais M'Bolhi (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Moustapha Zeghba (Entente Setif), Azzedine Doukha (Al-Raed FC, Saudi Arabia)

Defenders: Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, Spain), Ramy Bensebaini (Rennes, France), Rafik Halliche (Moreirense, Portugal), Mehdi Tahart (RC Lens, France), Djamel Benlamri (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Youcef Attal (Nice, France), Mohamed Fares (SPAL, Italy)

Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Schalke 04, Germany), Saphir Taider (Montreal Impact, MLS), Adam Ouanas (Napoli, Itlay), Adlene Guedioura (Nottingham Forest, England), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray. Turkey), Rachid Ghezzal (Leicester City, England), Ryad Mahrez (Manchester City, England)

Forwards: Ismail Bennacer (Empoli, Italy), Yacine Brahimi (Porto, Portugal), Yassine Benzia (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Ishak Belfodil (Hoffenheim, Germany), Islam Slimani (Fenerbahe, Turkey), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Sadd, Qatar)