Esperance Confirm Injury to Key Player, a Major Doubt for Champions League Opener

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·12 ottobre 2025

Esperance Confirm Injury to Key Player, a Major Doubt for Champions League Opener

The veteran winger withdraws from national team after pain follows Somalia clash

Esperance Confirm Injury to Key Player, a Major Doubt for Champions League Opener

OneFootball Video

Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis have confirmed that Algerian winger Youcef Belaili's suffered muscle injury while on international duty.

Forced to Leave Algeria Camp

The 33 year old veteran left Algeria’s training camp on Sunday morning after being ruled out of Tuesday’s World cup qualifier against Uganda.

Belaili'd featured as substitute in the 60 minute during Algeria’s 3 - 0 win over Somalia last Thursday .. a result that officially secured the Desert Warriors’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However he complained of muscle pain following the match.

Esperance Statement Confirms Injury

Esperance released official statement on Sunday evening:

"Our player Youcef Belaili underwent medical scans which confirmed muscle injury sustained during Algeria’s last match, He'll rest for period before undergoing follow up tests to determine when he can resume training" the club said.

Impact on Esperance’s CAF Champions League Campaign

The injury's major concern for Esperance as they prepare to face Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC next Saturday in the 1st leg of the CAF Champions League Round of 32.

Belaili’s recovery timeline remains uncertain raising doubts about his availability for the upcoming continental fixtures.