Algeria recall French-based duo for Nations Cup tie

ALGIERS, Sep 30 (Reuters) Algeria have recalled French-based striker Abdelmalek Cherrad and midfielder Karim Ziani to their squad for their African Nations Cup qualifier against Gambia.

Coach Jean-Michel Cavalli also drafted in defender Adel Maiza from league leaders Entente Setif for the Group Eight game in Algiers yesterday. Maiza won his only previous cap in a friendly against Sudan in June.

Thirteen of the 22-man squad are drawn from clubs in Europe but Algeria are without French-based defender Antar Yahia, suspended for their next two qualifiers after being red carded in the 0-0 draw with Guinea on September 3.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (JS Kabylie), Samir Hadjaoui (Entente Setif), Nassim Ousserir (NA Hussein-Dey) Defenders: Nadir Belhadj (Sedan, France), Adel Maiza (Entente Setif), Mohamed Meftah (JS Kabylie), Mehdi Meniri (Bastia, France), Abderraouf Zarabi (AJ Ajaccio, France) Midfielders: Chadli Amri (Mainz, Germany), Madjid Bougherra (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Lazhar Hadj Aissa (Entente Setif), Kamel Larbi (Nice, France), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient, France), Hocine Metref (USM Alger), Brahim Arafat Mezouar (Mouloudia Oran), Rafik Saifi (Lorient, France), Karim Ziani (Sochaux, France) Strikers: Ali Boulebda (Creteil, France), Mansour Boutabout (Sedan, France), Abdelmalek Cherrad (Bastia, France), Nouredine Daham (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Hamza Yacef (JS Kabylie).

REUTERS SY KP2317