Hamdani says Aït-Nouri matter will be handled wisely as he targets defensive flaws

The Aït-Nouri matter will be handled wisely, while the staff must address defensive weaknesses: that was Ibrahim Hamdani’s message after the friendly win against Niger. At his press conference, the coach said the match had provided an ideal opportunity to assess all the called-up players and their physical and technical readiness.

Hamdani also pointed to the group’s high morale, its energy and the enthusiasm among the younger players. He believes the team has a strong foundation to work from. But to deliver solid, consistent performances at the highest level in future, it still needs to develop greater football maturity and tactical discipline.

Defence remains a key concern. Hamdani acknowledged that weaknesses needed to be corrected promptly and that the staff had yet to settle on its ideal line-up. Work is expected to continue in the near future to address those shortcomings and find the right balance.

The coach was also asked about Rayan Aït-Nouri and the possibility of him returning to his options after the match against Zambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He declined to fuel speculation: “I will not get into speculation and controversy; the situation has been dealt with, and a statement has been issued by the Algerian Football Federation. However brief that statement may be, it is what it is… Everything surrounding this matter will be handled wisely, and the measures we take will be my personal decision.” Hamdani thus indicated that the final decision on the matter would be his.

Turning to the friendly, he praised Niger’s level, saying the side had put his team under pressure early in the match. He also welcomed his players’ response as they regained the initiative and secured the win, which he viewed as a positive sign of the group’s character.