Algeria’s attacking riches could force Ibrahim Maza into a new role

Brahim Hemdani is considering a tactical reshuffle that would allow Bachir Belloumi and Anis Hadj Moussa to play together for Algeria, with the plans potentially moving Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza away from his preferred position.

The Algeria manager is assessing his attacking options ahead of the November international break, when the Fennecs will face Togo twice in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

According to WinWin, Hemdani is keen to field both Belloumi and Hadj Moussa, despite the pair being left-footed players who generally prefer operating from the right wing.

Hadj Moussa appeared the natural candidate to take over on the right following Riyad Mahrez’s international retirement. However, Belloumi’s emergence has complicated that succession.

The Hull City player made an immediate impression during his first Algeria camp, producing strong performances against Zambia, Burundi and Niger. He started Hemdani’s first match in charge against Zambia, with Hadj Moussa coming off the bench before being forced off with an injury.

WinWin reports that Hemdani could therefore use Belloumi as an attacking midfielder, a position the son of Lakhdar Belloumi is considered capable of filling because of his technical ability.

That adjustment would raise a further question over Maza’s place in the formation.

It would be difficult to leave the Bayer Leverkusen player, regarded as one of Algeria’s most promising talents, out of the starting line-up. With his preferred central role potentially occupied, however, the Berlin-born player could be moved to the left.

Versatility is one of Maza’s main strengths. Although he is most naturally a number 10, he can also operate as a central midfielder and on either wing. He played as a left winger in the second match of the Bundesliga season and scored his first goal in the position during Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 victory over Union Berlin.

From the left, Maza could be used as an inverted or wide playmaker, allowing him to influence the game and create from the flank while retaining the technical qualities that make him effective centrally.

The proposal remains only under consideration at this stage. Both Hadj Moussa and Belloumi have also played on the left at different points in their careers, meaning the wide positions are not necessarily straightforward solutions.

Hemdani must decide whether the reshaped attack would strengthen Algeria without reducing Maza’s impact in central areas. His ability to find spaces between the lines and his vision are qualities that would be difficult to replace with a specialist winger.

The challenge for the Algeria manager is to find a system that accommodates all of his attacking talent while allowing each player to operate in the role best suited to his strengths.