Algerian Coach Lauds Soudani’s Brave Injury Comeback

Olympiacos’ Hilal Soudani has earned rave reviews from national team gaffer Djamel Belmadi following his return from an abrasion.

The 31-year-old, who was at Nottingham Forest the previous season prior to his switch to Greek outfit Olympiacos, was a major doubt months before Algeria’s opening qualifier win over Zambia.

Working gruelling hours at the gym, the erstwhile Dinamo Zagreb goal-getter fought back to fitness, earning his way into Belmadi’s line up for what was a crucial meeting against Zambia.

Trusted to get minutes against the former African champions, Soudani made a noticeable impression – a performance that had his coach talking about him in exalted terms.

“This kind of situation makes me very happy. I know he (Soudani) worked very hard. It’s not easy at his age after his injury to return to the high level,” Belmadi says ahead of their trip to Botswana tomorrow.

“It reflects his strength of character. He did not want to end his career with an injury, he must be pulled a big hat,” he said.