Algeria face Togo aiming to strengthen CAN 2027 qualifying lead

Algeria will look to extend their advantage at the top of Group I when they host Togo in the third round of CAN 2027 qualifying on Saturday.

The match will be played at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 France and Algeria time. It will be shown live in France on beIN Sports 1 and in Algeria on Al Aoula.

Algeria began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Zambia before drawing 2-2 with Burundi in September. They currently lead the group on goal difference ahead of Zambia, who moved level on points with the Fennecs after drawing with Burundi on Friday.

A win would give Algeria a three-point lead at the summit.

The hosts will have to cope with a significant number of absences, however, with six players leaving the squad. Abdelatif Ramdane, Jaouen Hadjam, Hicham Boudaoui, Bachir Belloumi, Amine Chiakha and Rafik Belghali are all unavailable.

All apart from Ramdane are injured. The goalkeeper withdrew following the death of his father.

Rayane Yesli, Fahem Benaissa-Yahia, Adem Zorgane and Saadi Radouani have been called up as replacements. Belloumi and Chiakha have not been replaced.

Algeria have won each of their past four meetings with Togo, all in CAN qualifying. They recorded a 1-0 victory in June 2017, followed by a 4-1 win in November 2018. Their two most recent successes came in October 2024, with Algeria winning 5-1 and 1-0.

Togo are third in the group after opening their campaign with a 1-0 win against Burundi. They then suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Zambia.

The Togolese side will be seeking a result that would keep them firmly in contention, while Algeria know victory would create clear daylight between themselves and their nearest rivals.

The match therefore represents an important opportunity for Algeria to consolidate their position despite their injury problems, while Togo will attempt to recover from their defeat in Zambia.