The Algeria national team completed their preparations on Tuesday for Wednesday’s opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Sudan, with kick-off scheduled for 4 p.m. in Rabat, and the outline of Vladimir Petkovic’s starting side now appears largely settled.
The Greens held a relatively light session in the morning, focused almost entirely on tactical organisation rather than physical conditioning.
It was the final opportunity for the coaching staff to fine-tune details before Algeria begin their tournament, and the exercises observed during the quarter-hour open to the press offered a strong indication of the coach’s intentions.
Based on the patterns seen in training, around 80% of the starting eleven now seems predictable.
The overall structure points towards continuity, with Petkovic reluctant to deviate from the shape used in recent friendly matches.
One of the key talking points has been the choice of goalkeeper.
When asked directly about Luca Zidane in his press conference, the coach avoided a formal confirmation, but his tone and body language suggested that the decision has already been taken in the player’s favour.
While Petkovic stopped short of naming him outright, nothing in his response hinted at uncertainty.
In defence, there is little doubt about the central pairing.
Algeria are expected to line up in the same classic 4-3-3 system employed against Saudi Arabia and Uganda, with Aïssa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini forming the heart of the back line.
Their understanding and experience make them the most stable option as Algeria seek a solid platform in their first match of the competition.
The full-back positions have been more closely contested. On the left, Jaouen Hadjam appears to have edged ahead of Rayan Aït Nouri.
The latter has been limited at club level, having played only 55 minutes in Manchester City’s last ten matches, and that lack of recent game time seems to have influenced the balance in Hadjam’s favour during this final week of preparation.
On the opposite flank, the situation is less clear-cut.
Rafik Belghali and Samir Chergui remain in competition for the right-back role, though Chergui is only just returning from injury.
That has inevitably raised questions about his match readiness, even if he brings qualities that appeal to the technical staff.
The final decision is likely to hinge on medical feedback as much as on tactical preference.
Petkovic’s approach during the final session reflected a desire for clarity rather than experimentation.
The drills were short, sharp and focused on positioning, pressing triggers and defensive transitions, all signs that the coach has a settled plan and wants the players to execute it with confidence rather than overthinking their roles.
With Sudan waiting in Rabat, Algeria’s camp is calm but attentive.
The coach has stressed the importance of a strong start, and the evidence from training suggests that he believes stability, rather than surprise selections, is the right formula for opening the tournament.
The full line-up will only be confirmed shortly before kick-off, but the pieces of the puzzle are already falling into place, leaving little doubt that Petkovic has his blueprint ready as Algeria prepare to take their first steps in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
