Despite an inconsistent start to the Ligue 1 season and three defeats in the Europa League, Amine Gouiri and Himad Abdelli have emerged among Olympique de Marseille’s most convincing performers, according to Niger coach Nabil Neghiz.

Marseille have won four and lost four of their opening eight Ligue 1 matches, leaving them eighth in the table and below the level expected of a club of their ambitions and stature. They have also lost all three of their Europa League fixtures.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have scored more goals than any other team in the French top flight, finding the net 18 times. However, they have conceded 13 goals, giving them the league’s 11th-best defensive record.

With several departures weakening the squad and the club’s limited finances preventing them from being properly replaced, the two Algeria internationals are among the few players to have impressed. Gouiri, 26, has won 28 caps and scored 11 goals for Algeria. He joined Marseille in January 2025 and has contributed five goals and two assists this season, including a goal in the 4-3 victory over Le Havre on 25 October.

Abdelli, also 26, has made 11 appearances for Algeria and has scored three times since the beginning of the campaign. He arrived from Angers during the previous winter transfer window, but his performances have improved significantly after a difficult first six months in southern France.

Neghiz, who is preparing Niger for their next two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Morocco in Niamey, has been following the pair’s progress closely.

The main concern surrounding Gouiri is not his ability but his fitness record. Muscular injuries, followed by a much more serious shoulder problem, kept the former Olympique Lyonnais player out for more than three months last season.

He has already missed two weeks in 2026-2027 after suffering another hamstring problem during Algeria’s 3-1 win over Zambia in September, a match played in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Abdelli has since established himself in Marseille’s side and has been given 634 Ligue 1 minutes by manager Bruno Genesio. Neghiz said the midfielder had needed time to settle after moving clubs.

“He needed time to adapt. He completed the pre-season with Marseille, and you can see that he is in good shape. He is starting matches, and I think Abdelli will continue to improve and gain experience.”

Marseille’s fixtures against Toulouse on 1 November, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany on 5 November in the Europa League, and Lens on 8 November will give both Algeria players further opportunities to increase their playing time and maintain their promising form.

The source also notes that the coach of the Eagles, Tony, has spoken about Marseille’s young Malian player.

The report was written by Alexis Billebault, a journalist specialising in African football since the early 2000s who has covered the past 11 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.