Algeria’s victory over Niger leaves Brahim Hemdani with more questions than answers

Algeria’s attempt to broaden their squad options produced more questions than answers as they needed established players to secure a 2-1 friendly victory over Niger in Tizi-Ouzou.

Brahim Hemdani made seven changes from the team that faced Burundi, with Abdelatif Ramdane, Sohaib Nair and Ilan Kebbal among those handed their first starts for the Verts. The changes were intended to give the Algeria manager a closer look at players competing for places outside his preferred group.

Instead, the match highlighted how much work remains before Algeria can rely on two comparable sides.

The hosts dominated possession for long periods but lacked the speed and coordination needed to break down Niger’s defensive organisation. Their reshuffled defence also struggled whenever possession changed hands, leaving Algeria vulnerable to quick transitions.

Niger took advantage in the 12th minute when Konan N’Dri capitalised on a sequence of errors to put the visitors ahead.

New-look Algeria struggle to click

The goal reflected wider problems in Algeria’s performance. The unfamiliar defensive partnership found it difficult to operate as a coordinated unit, while the midfield circulation lacked the pace to move Niger out of position.

In attack, the hosts rarely produced sustained combinations. Kebbal tried to provide a spark and created an early opening, but the midfielder frequently lacked the support required to turn his individual initiative into a consistent threat.

The performance will not necessarily define the players who were given opportunities. Ramdane, Nair, Kebbal and the other newcomers were being asked to operate in a team that had undergone significant changes.

However, Hemdani’s decision to rotate heavily was specifically designed to identify alternatives after Algeria had already shown some imbalance against Burundi.

Against Niger, the experiment offered little evidence that the challengers are ready to displace the established players.

Familiar faces turn game around

Algeria emerged from the interval with a noticeably higher tempo and greater intensity. Their improvement was also accompanied by the introduction of players already familiar with Hemdani’s preferred setup.

Mohamed Bachir Belloumi, who had replaced the injured Ibrahim Maza before half-time, levelled in the 53rd minute with a well-executed free-kick.

The hosts continued to apply pressure and were rewarded when Adel Boulbina won a penalty. Ramy Bensebaini stepped up in the 72nd minute and converted to complete the turnaround.

The manner of the comeback was particularly revealing.

Rather than the heavily rotated starting XI taking control and proving the value of the changes, Algeria relied on players who had already featured prominently in the manager’s plans during the previous two matches.

Their involvement restored greater intensity, structure and attacking threat, allowing Algeria to overturn the deficit and avoid an uncomfortable result.

Hemdani still searching for depth

The victory gives Algeria the result they wanted, but the performance leaves Hemdani with a clear indication of where his squad currently stands.

The manager has several players capable of contributing, but the match suggested he does not yet have two teams that can be rotated without a significant drop in cohesion and effectiveness.

That distinction could become important as Algeria manage a demanding international schedule. Squad depth is not simply about having alternatives in every position; those alternatives must also be capable of maintaining the team’s tactical level when several regular starters are absent.

Against Niger, Hemdani’s experiment showed that the gap between his core group and the players attempting to break into it remains significant.

Even the established players, however, have not been entirely convincing across Algeria’s recent matches. The comeback therefore should not be interpreted as the end of the competition for places.

Ramdane, Nair, Kebbal and the other players tested still have opportunities to force their way into the manager’s plans.

But in Tizi-Ouzou, even with the match carrying friendly status, the newcomers failed to provide enough evidence to significantly alter Hemdani’s current hierarchy. Algeria may have secured the win, but the search for genuine squad depth continues.