Under the lights at Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, Algeria began its road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3–1 victory over Zambia in front of a passionate crowd in Tizi Ouzou.
The match was the first official game for new Algeria head coach Brahim Hemdani, making the night an important new chapter for the national team.
Algeria needed only two minutes to make its mark.
After a quick attacking move involving Mohamed Amine Amoura and Ibrahim Maza, Jaouen Hadjam finished from a tight angle to give the home side an early 1–0 lead. The fast start immediately lifted the energy inside the stadium as Algeria looked to control the match.
The hosts continued to create opportunities throughout the first half, with Maza heavily involved in Algeria’s attacking play. Zambia, however, remained dangerous on the counterattack and looked for opportunities to punish Algeria whenever possession turned over.
Algeria’s first half ended with the hosts holding a 1–0 advantage.
The second half brought a completely different level of tension.
Zambia found its equalizer in the 57th minute when captain Fashion Sakala produced an impressive individual effort inside the Algerian penalty area, bringing the visitors level at 1–1.
For a moment, the momentum shifted.
Algeria responded quickly, refusing to allow the equalizer to change the direction of the match. In the 67th minute, Ibrahim Maza restored Algeria’s lead after another attacking combination with Amoura.
The goal brought the stadium back to life.
Seven minutes later, Algeria delivered the decisive moment. Substitute Anis Hadj Moussa found the back of the net in the 74th minute to make it 3–1 and give the home side breathing room for the remainder of the match.
From the stands and around the stadium, the atmosphere reflected the importance of the occasion. The return of competitive international football to Tizi Ouzou brought together supporters who came to see a new-look Algeria begin another qualifying campaign.
For me, covering the match from the stadium offered the opportunity to capture more than just the goals. The emotion of the supporters, the intensity on the pitch, the celebrations after each goal, and the atmosphere surrounding the national team all became part of the story.
The final whistle confirmed a 3–1 victory for Algeria and three points to open the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The win also gave Hemdani a successful start in his first competitive match in charge of the national team.
Algeria will now turn its attention to the next stage of the qualifying campaign, with the team scheduled to face Burundi in its next Group I match.
But on Friday night in Tizi Ouzou, the focus was on a new beginning.
A new coach. A new qualifying campaign. And under the lights
Photography: Djaffar Ladjal . Yassine Daikh
Story: Anouar M. / The Production Nomad
Independent Sports & Visual Media
San Francisco, California