Algeria's national football team got off to a flying start in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, beating Zambia 3-1 at the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou on September 26, 2026. The win marked a successful debut for new coach Ibrahim Hamdani, who made some changes to the starting lineup. Goalkeeper Melvin Mastiel made his first competitive start for the team, while Mohamed Béchir Belloumi and Adam Zorgane also featured from the beginning.
The hosts took just two minutes to open the scoring through a beautifully worked move involving Ibrahim Maza and Mohamed Amine Gouiri, who set up left-back Ghanam Al-Assaf to score. Zambia struggled to get into the game in the first 15 minutes, as Algeria dominated possession and created several chances. The visitors' woes were compounded when Gouiri picked up an injury and was replaced by Amin Chiakha in the 18th minute.
Algeria continued to press for more goals, but their lack of precision in the final third prevented them from extending their lead. Zambia, however, grew into the game and began to cause problems for the Algerian defense. In the 26th minute, Gouiri forced the Zambian goalkeeper to make a save, before Zorgane's shot was blocked and turned into a corner. Despite their dominance, Algeria failed to add to their tally before halftime.
The second half began with Algeria pushing for more goals, but they were caught off guard when Zambia equalized in the 57th minute through a Fashon Sakala strike. The goal gave the visitors renewed hope, but Algeria responded quickly to restore their lead. In the 66th minute, Maza scored the second goal after a swift counterattack, setting up a comfortable win for the hosts.
Algeria sealed the win with a third goal in the 74th minute, courtesy of Farès Chaibi, who pounced on a rebound to score. The win marked a perfect start to the qualifiers for Algeria, who now top Group E alongside Togo, who beat Burundi 1-0 in the other group match. Algeria's next qualifier is against Burundi on Tuesday, and coach Hamdani is optimistic about his team's chances.
Hamdani expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, but was concerned about the injuries picked up by some players, including Gouiri, who limped off with a thigh injury in the 20th minute. The coach also acknowledged that his team needs to work on their defensive solidity, having conceded a goal in the second half. Despite the positives, Hamdani emphasized that his team must focus on the next match against Burundi.
The Algerian coach also praised the performance of Gouiri, who was eager to score but ultimately failed to add to his tally. Hamdani attributed Gouiri's lack of goals to his late return to his club, Nice, and the limited preparation time he had with the team. Algeria will aim to make it two wins from two when they face Burundi on Tuesday, with Hamdani urging his team to focus on securing the maximum points possible.
Key points
- Algeria beat Zambia 3-1 in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifier.
- The win marked a successful debut for new coach Ibrahim Hamdani.
- Algeria's next qualifier is against Burundi on Tuesday.
