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- Algeria vs Zambia | Highlights | Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 2027
Algeria vs Zambia | Highlights | Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 2027
The Desert Foxes responded when it mattered most in the final minutes, overcoming Zambia's equalizer and a tough challenge from the Copper Bullets.
Algeria opened its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Zambia at Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou. The match marked Brahim Hemdani’s debut on the bench for the Greens and featured four goals, as Zambia’s second-half comeback briefly put the hosts under pressure.
MAZA AND HADJ-MOUSSA DELIVER WHEN IT MATTERED MOST
Algeria struck just two minutes into the match. Ibrahim Maza started the move before Jaouen Hadjam finished the play with a cross that took a slight deflection off a Zambian defender and ended up in the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Zambia responded after halftime and leveled the score in the 57th minute, when Fashion Sakala produced a spectacular finish following a fearless one-on-one run into the box, beating several defenders before making it 1-1.
The Algerian response came just 10 minutes later. In the 67th minute, Mohamed Amine Amoura set up Ibrahim Maza, who calmly finished to restore the hosts’ lead.
The final blow came in the 74th minute. After his initial effort was saved by the goalkeeper, Adil Boulbina kept the move alive and provided a backheel assist for Anis Hadj-Moussa, who made no mistake and sealed the 3-1 victory.
With the result, Algeria picked up its first three points in Group I of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Key Takeaways
- Early Algeria goal: Jaouen Hadjam opened the scoring in the 2nd minute after a move initiated by Ibrahim Maza.
- Zambia fought back: Fashion Sakala leveled the score in the 57th minute with a brilliant individual effort, putting the hosts under pressure.
- Algeria responded at the right time: Ibrahim Maza in the 67th minute and Anis Hadj-Moussa in the 74th sealed the 3-1 win and secured Algeria’s first three points in Group I.
