Schalke duo make competitive international debuts in AFCON qualifiers
| (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) |
Schalke saw two new stars make their competitive international debuts on Tuesday, with Adil Aouchiche and Soufiane El-Faouzi coming off the bench for Algeria and Morocco, respectively. Both had previously made international appearances in friendlies.
Aouchiche was subbed on in the 65th minute against Lesotho, replacing Eintracht Frankfurt's Farès Chaïbi. However, Algeria, which trailed 2-0 at one stage, couldn't find a winner and was forced to settle for a 2-2 draw. The result leaves the team first in Group I with four points from two games.
The midfielder previously represented France at youth level, but switched to Algeria earlier this year. He earned his first call-up in March after a strong start with Schalke and appeared off the bench in a 7-0 win over Guatemala.
Aouchiche and Algeria will take on Niger in a friendly on October 6.
El-Faouzi played just six minutes, coming on for Azzedine Ounahi in a comfortable 2-0 win. El-Faouzi, who was born in Siegen, was reportedly on Jürgen Klopp's radar, but has instead opted to join a Morocco side that has impressed at the last two World Cups.
The Atlas Lions sit first in AFCON Qualifiers Group A with six points from two games. El-Faouzi could get another chance to make an impression on October 4 as Morocco take on Ghana.
Aouchiche and El-Faouzi have both started all four Bundesliga matches to start the season, with Schalke losing only one. Miron Muslić's side is currently 11th in the league and takes on Freiburg on October 11 after the international break.
