Rulani Mokwena Highlights Why Algeria Stood Better AFCON Chance Without Zinedine Zidane’s Son

MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena feels Algeria would have perhaps made it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final or final if they had their first-choice goalkeeper.

The Desert Foxes exited AFCON 2025 at the quarter-final following a 2-0 loss to Nigeria and throughout the tournament, they had Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane in goal.

Zidane kept three clean sheets in five games, two at the group stage, and in the Round of 16, and pulled off some good saves along the way before the quarter-final loss.

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The French-born goalkeeper was playing his first major tournament since ditching France for the North African nation last September and earned praise for his performances.

However, Mokwena is of the view that Algeria would have done even better if it was Alexis Guendouz in goal. Guendouz plays under Mokwena at MC Alger but sustained an injury two weeks to AFCON 2025 with coach Vladimir Petkovic dropping from the squad, handing Zidane a chance.

“We [MC Alger] were unfortunate because we have Guendouz the goalkeeper who for me is one of the best in Africa and he is the national team No.1 goalkeeper,” Mokwena said on Sports Night Amplified.

“He was unfortunate that two weeks before [AFCON], he got injured with a calf strain and the only thing that disappointed me was that the Algerian national team did not do the same sacrifice and commitment that Morocco did with Hakimi because I think with Guendouz, the team is in the semi-final and maybe in the final but it was an unfortunate circumstance for Guendouz.”

Mokwena then shared some of the qualities that put Guendouz above the other Algerian goalkeepers.

“He has an incredible capacity. His decision-making is incredible, in the last game for us against Ben Aknoun in the cup, he made three incredible saves and I think he would have had this type of leadership. With his calmness and ability to inspire the team behind the scenes,” he added.

“I think he would have been a great impact for the Algerian national team. But we have benefited he has kept two clean sheets in the last games but I hope he will be there in the World Cup because I think with Alexis, the national team is much stronger.”