Yesli Gets Another Algeria A-Team Call-Up

While the Canadian Premier League spotlight is deservedly focused on tomorrow’s playoff championship following a star-studded award ceremony in Ottawa, Halifax Wanderers goalkeper Rayane Yesli is quietly making strides at the international level.

Today, it has been confirmed that the Wanderers goalkeeper has received a second nod for Algeria, once again with the country’s secondary ‘A Team’ roster.

His upcoming return to the ‘A Team’ – which is separate from Algeria’s primary squad – comes after Yesli was called up for a similar ‘A Team’ double-friendly against Palestine in October.

Yesli made his international debut in a one-nil loss to the opposition, through the Algerian A Team rallied back with a three-nil win in the second match. His debut made history as the second athlete with CPL experience to feature for Algeria, with former Cavalry full-back Mohamed Farsi having been the first.

Yesli will be with the team for two consecutive friendlies against Egypt that are being used in preparation for the FIFA Arab Cup. These games will be played on November 14 and November 17, with the first in Al Salam Stadium and the second in Cairo.

Given that the six-foot-seven goalkeeper evidently impressed enough to warrant a second call-up for Les Verts, one would expect he’ll get another shot in at least one of the friendlies. Similarly, Egypt is also using an ‘A Team’ that is separate from their primary roster.

The 26-year-old made 29 appearances throughout his first-ever Wanderers campaign, which saw the east coast side clinch playoffs before bowing out at home against York United.

While the goalkeeper was raised in Montreal, he was born in northcentral Tizi Ouzou. His professional debut came three years ago after impressing in the pro-am ranks of Ligue1 Quebec following a brief spell in Italy, with Valour adding him on a pro deal in 2022.

He went on to make 37 appearances through two seasons with the Winnipeg-based outfit, earning a golden glove nomination before an unexpected player swap sent him to the nation’s capital with Atletico Ottawa.

Flashback: Valour’s Rayane Yesli Training With AC Ajaccio

Competing with CPL original Nathan Ingham, Yesli managed eleven appearances before departing for the Halifax Wanderers this spring, once more returning him to number one status. This season saw him set a club record for clean sheets in a single season with eight, conceding 1.26 goals per match through the regular season.

The Wanderers hold a 2026 club option for Yesli, though the roster moves of the now head coach-less side are still to be determined.

Header Image Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League