Adil Bourabaa’s rise at Le Mans has carried him beyond the French season and into Algeria’s plans. The 21-year-old midfielder has received his first senior call-up after a sharp opening to the Ligue 1 campaign, stepping in for injured Lille player Nabil Bentaleb.
The move
Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani added Bourabaa to his squad for the next international window, with the Le Mans midfielder replacing Bentaleb.
Bourabaa had not been included in the original selection, as was also the case for Houssem Aouar. His late inclusion gives him a first opportunity with the Fennecs at senior level.
Algeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying programme at home to Zambia in Tizi-Ouzou on Friday at 21:00, before travelling to Burundi for a 15:00 kick-off on Tuesday 29 September.
The French season around it
Bourabaa has become a central figure for Le Mans in the opening weeks of the Ligue 1 season. He has scored three goals and supplied two assists, form that has quickly turned a promising start into an international opening.
- Adil Bourabaa: Le Mans midfielder, 21, with three Ligue 1 goals and two assists.
- Nabil Bentaleb: Lille midfielder forced out of Algeria’s squad after sustaining an injury against Nice.
- Ngal’ayel Mukau: Introduced for Bentaleb in the 77th minute of Lille’s match at Nice.
- Houssem Aouar: Not part of Algeria’s initial squad selection.
Bentaleb suffered the problem during Lille’s 2-1 defeat away to Nice on Sunday in the fifth round of Ligue 1 fixtures. He had played close to 80 minutes before Mukau replaced him in the 77th minute.
For Bourabaa, the call arrives as reward for a start that has put him among the early young stories of the French top flight.
