Algeria U23 begin 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against Eswatini

Algeria U23 begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations away to Eswatini on Wednesday, with the first leg taking place at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 local time, which is 15:00 in Algeria, Morocco and France. The return match will be played five days later, on Monday, 16 November, at 18:00 at the 5-July Olympic Stadium in Algiers.

The first leg is expected to be shown live by Algerian Television on TV6, with coverage due to begin at 15:00 Algerian time. No other official broadcaster or free CAF stream has been confirmed.

Supporters will also be able to follow the score through the official channels of the Algerian Football Federation.

Algeria were exempt from the first qualifying round and are therefore entering the competition at this stage. Eswatini had to overcome Malawi to reach the tie, winning the first leg 1-0 before drawing the second 1-1.

Rafik Saifi has named a 24-player squad for the two matches. The group includes Kilian Belazzoug, the Stade Rennais goalkeeper who was involved in the previous Algeria senior-team gathering, as well as Kelyann Bezahaf, Lahlou Akhrib, Kail Boudache and Mohamed Ramdaoui.

The Algerian delegation faced a lengthy journey to reach Eswatini. The trip lasted approximately 11 hours and included a technical stop in Abuja before the team continued to Mbabane.

That travel schedule leaves Saifi’s side with limited time to recover and prepare for the opening match. Algeria will be aiming to secure a positive result in the first leg and avoid placing themselves under unnecessary pressure before the return in Algiers.

On paper, Algeria are the favourites, although the two-legged format demands caution. Eswatini have already played twice in the qualifying competition and will have the benefit of that competitive experience.

If Algeria progress, they will face the winner of the tie between Mali and Zimbabwe in the third and final qualifying round, scheduled for March 2027.

The final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations U23 will be held in Egypt in November 2027. The tournament will also serve as a qualifying competition for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Algeria have not appeared in the Olympic football tournament since the Rio 2016 Games.