Algeria leave it late to overcome Togo in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

Algeria moved three points clear at the top of Group Nine in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers after Ramy Bensebaini’s late header secured a 1-0 win over Togo at Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium on Saturday.

The victory took Algeria to seven points after three matches, while Togo remain third on three points. Zambia are second with four points and Burundi sit bottom on two.

Algeria made the stronger start and created the first opening after 12 minutes, when Anis Hadj Moussa tried his luck from outside the penalty area. His effort lacked power and was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Parkola.

The hosts then missed a clear chance to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Mohamed Amine Amoura found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box, but his low shot somehow went wide of the post.

Algeria continued to threaten before the interval. In the second minute of added time, Amin Gouiri met a cross from Nabil Bentaleb, but his header drifted narrowly wide as the teams went into half-time level.

Togo began the second half with greater attacking intent and almost took the lead in the 58th minute. Laba rose to meet a cross inside the Algeria penalty area, only for his header to pass just beyond the post.

Algeria responded quickly. Gouiri went around the goalkeeper and struck towards goal, but a defender intervened to prevent the ball from reaching the net and conceded a corner.

The pressure eventually produced a breakthrough in the 76th minute. Hadj Moussa delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area and Bensebaini met it with a powerful header that beat the goalkeeper and gave the home side the decisive goal.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, when Algeria travel to Togo’s capital, Lome, for the fourth round of qualifying.

Algeria will complete their qualifying campaign in March, with two fixtures scheduled. They will first visit Zambia before hosting Burundi in their final match.

Algeria have appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations 21 times and have won the tournament twice. Their first triumph came on home soil in 1990, before they claimed the 2019 title in Egypt.

The Desert Warriors were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the most recent edition, hosted by Morocco, after losing 2-0 to Nigeria.