Belloumi and Boulbina highlight Algeria’s local talent in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Adil Boulbina scored as Algeria recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Burundi on Tuesday, underlining the potential of the country’s domestic football system at the start of Brahim Hemdani’s new cycle.

The result should not reignite the familiar argument over whether Algeria should favour players developed domestically or those who have come through European academies. All the players represent the same national team, and no particular training system guarantees success at international level.

But in difficult circumstances in Bujumbura, playing on an artificial pitch in the afternoon, Belloumi and Boulbina were the two players who gave Algeria a route back into the game.

Belloumi, who began at GC Mascara before moving to MC Oran and later continuing his development in Portugal and England, reduced the deficit shortly before the half-hour mark. Boulbina then produced a superb direct free-kick to bring the scores level.

The two forwards had already been identified as among the few positive elements from the draw. Neither delivered a flawless performance, and Boulbina in particular struggled before scoring. However, both did what is required of an international player in a difficult match: they produced decisive moments when their team needed them.

There was an obvious contrast with some of Algeria’s players developed in Europe. Himad Abdelli found it difficult to influence the game before going off injured, while Fares Chaibi endured a particularly tough afternoon, including an own goal.

That should not be used to establish a general rule. Saadi Radouani and Achraf Abada, both representatives of the Algerian league, also struggled. Belloumi and Boulbina deserve credit primarily for their performances, rather than simply for where they were trained.

For Hemdani, however, their contribution is an encouraging sign. The coach knows better than most what the domestic talent pool can provide. Just weeks before taking charge of the senior side, he had led an Algeria U21 team made up entirely of players competing in Algeria at the Mediterranean Games.

That generation eventually won the gold medal in Taranto after a near-perfect campaign.

Belloumi could now establish himself in the right-sided rotation, while Boulbina has demonstrated both his striking ability and his capacity to change a match. Competition from Mohamed Amoura makes a place in the starting XI difficult, but Boulbina’s position in the pecking order is now considerably stronger.

History nevertheless calls for caution. In 2017, Rabah Madjer attempted to give players from the Algerian league a much greater role. The approach soon showed its limitations, and Algeria subsequently returned to a squad structure largely built around players developed or playing in Europe.

Hemdani has no quota to impose. His task is to select the best profiles, regardless of where they were trained. Yet the U21 gold medal in Taranto and the goals scored by Belloumi and Boulbina in Bujumbura have delivered a clear message: Algeria’s domestic system can offer more than simply back-up options.