Algeria boss Hemdani identifies defensive issues after Niger win

Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani says defensive organisation is his “priority” after his side struggled before beating Niger 2-1 in a friendly in Tizi Ouzou on Tuesday.

The result followed a difficult 2-2 draw with Burundi in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, and offered only limited reassurance despite Algeria eventually securing victory.

Hemdani made seven changes to the team that started against Burundi, but the reshuffled side made a poor start. Niger took the lead after 12 minutes when Konan Ndri broke beyond Zineddine Belaid, Algeria’s captain for the evening, before finding the net with the help of an uncertain intervention from goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane.

Algeria, quarter-finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations, were exposed again on several occasions before recovering to turn the match around.

The defence is being rebuilt following Aissa Mandi’s retirement from international football. Against Niger, Sohaib Nair, Belaid, Ahmed Touba and Jaouen Hadjam formed the back four from right to left.

The team ended this international period without keeping a clean sheet, having also conceded against Zambia in a 3-1 win and Burundi in the 2-2 draw that began their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign.

“We suffered in the first half. We cannot be satisfied with our performance in that period because we allowed Niger to take control of the game and go ahead,” Hemdani said at his post-match news conference.

“This is a priority area. We were put under pressure in the first half and spent too much time defending. We have shortcomings, and they appear obvious in terms of defensive organisation.

“We are looking for complementarity in different positions. The central defensive partnership is an important part of the defensive unit. Chergui was tired and we did not want to take a risk. The task is a big one: there are many changes and new players.”

Hemdani has not fully won over an Algerian public known for its high expectations, but the manager urged patience as he continues to assess his options, particularly at centre-back.

“My starting point was to see as many of the players I called up as possible, so I could form an opinion. I have lessons to draw from this,” he said.

“I remain optimistic and am convinced that we will achieve our objectives. I now have a clear idea of the players’ potential. We used 26 players during this gathering.”

Algeria will face Togo twice in November in their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign. Hemdani is expected to have suspended players Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali available again, while Rayan Ait-Nouri could also return if his disciplinary omission from this camp does not continue.