Following a World Cup campaign that ended in disappointment for the Algerian national team, who were ousted in the Round of 16 by Switzerland, the Fennecs are embarking on a new chapter under the guidance of their new head coach, Brahim Hemdani. Their opening match in the CAN 2027 qualification campaign showcased a stellar performance, with the players energized by the support of their home crowd. Within just two minutes, Hadjam opened the scoring with a remarkable individual effort that caught Zambian goalkeeper Mwanza off-guard from a tight angle, setting the score at 1-0. Dominating the game with the dynamic play of Maza and the creativity of Belloumi, Algeria created numerous scoring opportunities early on, with notable attempts by Belloumi and Maza in the 10th and 12th minutes, respectively. However, the first half was marred by a premature injury to Amine Gouiri, who was forced to leave the pitch at the 19th minute, making way for Chiakha.
Despite this setback, Algeria maintained an aggressive pace, continuing to press forward but failing to extend their lead. A close attempt from Chaïbi hit the post in the 31st minute, illustrating their missed chances. After halftime, the Fennecs struggled to capitalize on opportunities, with Zorgane and Amoura, who squandered two golden chances, failing to find the back of the net in the 53rd, 54th, and 62nd minutes. This lack of finishing proved costly when, against the run of play, Zambia equalized with their first shot on target in the 58th minute. Sakala took advantage of a lackadaisical Algerian defense, penetrating the box and scoring with a well-placed cross shot, leveling the score at 1-1. However, the Zambians' joy was short-lived. Just minutes later, Ibrahim Maza, who had an outstanding match, restored Algeria's lead with a powerful strike to the near post in the 67th minute. Unfinished with just one goal, Maza assisted Anis Hadj Moussa, who had just entered the game, with a delightful backheel pass. The PSV Eindhoven winger then scored from close range, sealing a 3-1 victory for Algeria in the 74th minute.
The Morocco and Mali Matches: Strong Performances in the Qualifiers
Additionally, it was a significant day for Morocco, who returned to action after a quarterfinal exit against France in the last World Cup. The Lions of the Atlas began their qualification campaign strongly with a decisive win over Gabon. Dominating possession and led by a lively Azzedine Ounahi, who came close to scoring on multiple occasions, Morocco finally broke the deadlock with Noussair Mazraoui's powerful strike from 20 meters in the 36th minute, following a solo run that exploited gaps in the Gabonese defense. Just before halftime, El Aynaoui missed a chance to extend the lead, and despite some scares in the second half, including dangerous attempts from Bouanga, the Moroccan defense held firm. Soufiane Rahimi secured the victory with a late goal in the 84th minute after a smart pass from El Khannouss. Meanwhile, Mali faced off against Cape Verde, having made a statement in the last World Cup by remaining unbeaten. The Eagles of Mali, donning a striking new kit, improved their game and secured a comfortable 3-1 victory. After an early goal from Ange-Martial Tia, who marked his debut with a score, and a quick equalizer from Lopes Cabral, the Malians took control of the match, fueled by Dorgeles Nene's exceptional performance, who scored twice. In other matches, Egypt was held to a goalless draw against Angola, and Burkina Faso and Benin ended their match in a 1-1 stalemate.
As reported by footmercato.net.
