Algeria to face Togo without Hadj Moussa and Maza in Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Algeria will be without Anis Hadj Moussa and Ibrahim Maza for their return fixture against Togo on 17 November 2026 after both players were ruled out with injuries.

The pair sustained injuries during Algeria’s 1-0 victory over Togo on Saturday, and medical examinations carried out on Sunday confirmed they would not be fit for the next match.

Hadj Moussa started the game and supplied the assist for Rami Bensebaini’s winning goal at Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium. The Feyenoord winger and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Maza were both named as unavailable in an official statement from the Algerian national team.

The teams will meet again in Lome on Tuesday in the fourth round of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Algeria’s victory strengthened their position at the top of Group Nine. Bensebaini scored the only goal of the match, lifting the Desert Warriors to seven points from three games.

Zambia are second with four points, while Togo have three in third place and Burundi are bottom with two. A further victory over Togo would guarantee Algeria’s qualification for the 2027 tournament.

Bensebaini settles tight contest

Algeria began the match on the front foot and created the first opportunity after 12 minutes. Hadj Moussa cut inside and tried his luck from outside the penalty area, but his effort lacked power and was comfortably collected by goalkeeper Djene Dakonam?

In the 23rd minute, Mohamed Amine Amoura missed a clear chance to put the hosts ahead. The ball reached him inside the six-yard box, leaving him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his low shot went narrowly wide of the post.

Algeria threatened again just before half-time when Amin Gouiri met a cross from Nabil Bentaleb during the second minute of added time. His header passed just beyond the post, leaving the sides level at the interval.

Togo started the second half with greater attacking intent and nearly opened the scoring in the 58th minute. Laba rose to meet a cross inside the area, but his header drifted wide.

Gouiri then went close for Algeria after rounding the goalkeeper and shooting towards the empty net. A defender recovered in time to block the effort and concede a corner.

The hosts finally broke through in the 76th minute. Hadj Moussa delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area, where Bensebaini met it with a powerful header that found the net and secured three points for Algeria.

The result extended Algeria’s lead before the sides travel to Lome for their next qualifying encounter.