Algeria lose Maza and Hadj-Moussa for Togo return

Algeria will be without Ibrahim Maza and Anis Hadj-Moussa for Tuesday’s trip to Togo in the fourth round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, adding to an injury list that already includes six players.

Both started in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Togo in Tizi-Ouzou. Hadj-Moussa provided the assist for Ramy Bensebaini’s winning goal, but neither player will feature in the return match in Lome.

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) confirmed on Sunday that the pair suffered ankle sprains during the first meeting and would not travel with the squad.

Their withdrawals represent another significant blow for head coach Brahim Hemdani, who has now lost two more attacking options ahead of a match that could prove decisive in the race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The latest absences follow the earlier departures of Abdelatif Ramdane, Rafik Belghali, Jaouen Hadjam, Hicham Boudaoui, Bachir Belloumi and Amine Chiakha. All six had already been ruled out after leaving the training camp.

Hemdani must now manage without at least five players who could have been considered potential starters: Maza, Hadj-Moussa, Belloumi, Hadjam and Belghali.

The impact is particularly severe in attack, and on the right wing. Fares Ghedjemis, who came on as a substitute in Saturday’s match, is now the only natural option in that position.

Fares Chaibi, who started against Togo, or Himad Abdelli, who also appeared from the bench, could provide a direct replacement for Maza in the attacking midfield role.

With the squad due to leave for Lome imminently, there was no longer time to call up replacements. Hemdani’s decision not to add another attacking player after the first injuries in that area is likely to come under scrutiny.

The coach has maintained that the scale of the absences is “nothing unusual” at this stage of the season, pointing out that several national teams have also been affected by injuries.

However, the growing number of withdrawals may force Hemdani to alter his formation for Tuesday’s match. Algeria will attempt to build on their narrow home victory, while dealing with a significantly depleted attacking group.