Algeria v Zambia: Hemdani begins new era with first AFCON 2027 qualifier

Brahim Hemdani will take charge of Algeria for the first time on Friday when they host Zambia in their opening qualifying match for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The game at Stade Hocine-Ait-Ahmed in Tizi Ouzou will mark the start of a new chapter for Algeria following the departure of Vladimir Petkovic. Petkovic’s tenure ended after Algeria were eliminated in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

Former Algeria international Hemdani has been appointed to lead the side into a new qualifying campaign, but he begins his tenure with significant selection issues and little margin for error after being met with scepticism by some supporters.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 Algeria time (GMT+1) on Friday, which is 21:00 in France.

The match will be shown on ENTV and beIN Sports Mena 4 in Algeria, while viewers in France can watch it on beIN Sports 2. Canal+ is also expected to broadcast the game in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa.

Hemdani will be without several experienced players. Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi have retired from international football, while Lucas Zidane and Rafik Belghali are suspended for the opening of the qualifiers because of incidents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nabil Bentaleb has also withdrawn after suffering a late injury, further reducing the new manager’s options.

The goalkeeping position is one of the main areas of uncertainty following Zidane’s absence. Melvin Mastil and Abderrahmane Ramdane are competing to start.

At centre-back, Ramy Bensebaini has been promoted to captain and is expected to feature, but Hemdani must decide whether Zineddine Belaid or Ahmed Touba will partner him. Jaouen Hadjam could start at right-back in place of the suspended Belghali, although that choice has not yet been confirmed.

There has also been a reshuffle in midfield, where Ibrahim Maza and Fares Chaibi appear to be the only players whose places are secure.

Mahrez’s former position on the right side of the attack is also up for grabs. Anis Hadj-Moussa and Mohamed Belloumi are both in strong form and are expected to compete for the role, with Hadj-Moussa seemingly holding the advantage.

Amine Chiakha and Adil Bourabaa will also be hoping to make an impression. Bourabaa received a late call-up after an excellent start to the season with Le Mans, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.

They face a Zambia side that has failed to win any of its past ten matches in all competitions.