Algeria begin Brahim Hemdani era with Zambia qualifier

Algeria start their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign against Zambia on Friday at the Hocine-Ait-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou, with Brahim Hemdani taking charge of the national team for the first time.

The Fennecs and Chipolopolos are in Group I. Algeria will travel to Burundi next, while Zambia face Togo in their following fixture.

Hemdani was appointed after Vladimir Petkovic left the role following Algeria’s quarter-final defeat by Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and an underwhelming World Cup campaign, despite reaching the last 32 before losing 2-0 to Switzerland.

After an off-season of speculation, including links with Roberto Martinez, the Algerian Football Federation turned to local expertise. Hemdani had recently guided the under-20 side to a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games, but his senior coaching experience is limited. He will work alongside former international Anthar Yahia and knows there is little room for error.

Petkovic’s teams had been highly effective in qualifying. Algeria won five of their six matches in the previous Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, including three home victories by an aggregate score of 12-2. They also recorded eight wins in 10 World Cup qualifying matches, although one of those defeats came at home against Guinea.

Recent meetings with Zambia offer the visitors some encouragement. Algeria have won only one of their past four encounters, a 5-0 victory in 2019, alongside one draw and two defeats. Overall, however, the Fennecs lead the head-to-head record with six wins, two draws and three losses.

Zambia were eliminated in the group stage of the last Africa Cup of Nations after drawing with Mali and Comoros before a 3-0 defeat by Morocco. They scored only once in the tournament and were beaten 5-0 by Argentina in June.

George Lwandamina’s side had topped their qualifying group for the previous Africa Cup of Nations, ahead of Cote d’Ivoire, with four wins in six matches. Their World Cup qualifying campaign was more difficult, bringing five defeats in eight games. Zambia are now without a victory in 10 matches in all competitions.

Algeria’s recent form is DNVDDV in competitive matches and DNVDVV in all competitions; Zambia’s records are DNNDVD and DDNDNN respectively.

Hemdani’s first squad is missing potential starters Lucas Zidane and Rafik Belghali, who are suspended following incidents after the Nigeria match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi have retired internationally since the World Cup, while Nabil Bentaleb is unavailable. He has been replaced by Adil Bourabaa, who has three goals and two assists for Le Mans in Ligue 1 this season.

Ramy Bensebaini is expected to provide leadership, with Ibrahim Maza and Anis Hadj-Moussa among those aiming to establish themselves. Mohamed Belloumi, in outstanding form for Hull City in the Premier League, and Amine Chiakha also return to contention.

Zambia have no reported player absences. Their assistant coach Andrew Sinkala is unavailable for personal reasons, while Patson Daka, recently signed by Hamburg, remains their main attacking threat.

Probable teams

Algeria: Mastil; Hadjam, Belaid, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Maza, Abdelli, Chaibi; Hadj Moussa, Gouiri, Amoura.

Zambia: Chabu; Banda, Hamasenya, Chisala, Mwamba; Changa Chaiwa, Liteta, Lungu; Banda, Daka, F. Sakala.

Algeria’s previous qualifying campaigns showed they rarely dropped points at home. Despite the changes under Hemdani, their stronger squad and greater individual quality should see them win, although Zambia may score, with the Fennecs often struggling to control matches from start to finish.