South African referee Tom Abongile (L) shows a yellow card to Algeria s defender #21 Ramy Bensebaini (R) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match between Algeria and Burkina Faso at Stade de la Paix in Bouake on January 20, 2024. AFP
The Borussia Dortmund defender will be suspended for the game, while AC Milan midfielder Bennacer is unavailable due to injury.
"The absence of the duo is a significant loss for our team, but we have several solutions to compensate for their absence," coach Belmadi told the pre-match news conference on Monday.
"I have full confidence in their substitutes, and I am certain that they will perform admirably against Mauritania."
Algeria find themselves in a must-win situation as they conclude their Group stage campaign in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
They had a disappointing start to the competition, drawing 1-1 against Angola and 2-2 against Burkina Faso, leaving them in third place in Group D with only two points.
Angola and Burkina Faso currently top the group with four points each, while Mauritania sit at the bottom without any points.
As the defending champions from 2019, Algeria aims to avoid a repeat of their early elimination in the 2021 edition when they finished in fourth place in their group.
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