Algeria will begin life under interim head coach Brahim Hemdani with a blend of established international experience and emerging attacking talent when they host Zambia in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Tizi Ouzou on Friday.
The reported line-up points towards a 4-3-3 formation, with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza expected to occupy the most advanced midfield role and provide the link between Algeria’s midfield and front three.
For Zambia, Maza is arguably the player who demands the closest attention.
The 20-year-old has rapidly established himself as one of the most promising young players in Algeria’s squad. Born in Berlin, Maza came through the Hertha Berlin academy before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, where he signed a contract until 2030. Bayer describe him as a technically gifted attacking player with strong dribbling ability and an eye for finding teammates.
He also arrives in Zambia’s path in good club form, having scored once and provided an assist in four Bundesliga appearances this season, while registering 16 shots on target and 53 successful tackles according to Bundesliga statistics.
But Maza is not Algeria’s only concern for the Chipolopolo.
The hosts have considerable pace and creativity across their front line, with Anis Hadj Moussa, Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura expected to lead the attack.
Goalkeeper
Melvin Mastil
Mastil is the reported choice to start in goal, with Algeria’s latest squad selection including the Stade Nyonnais goalkeeper alongside Ramdani and Belazzoug.
The goalkeeper’s inclusion comes amid changes to Algeria’s squad following the 2026 World Cup, with several established players no longer involved.
Defence
Achref Abada – Zineddine Belaïd – Ramy Bensebaini – Rayan Aït-Nouri
Abada could start at right-back, with the versatile defender providing an option capable of contributing both defensively and in possession.
Alongside him, Zineddine Belaïd and Ramy Bensebaini would provide a mixture of youth and experience in central defence.
Bensebaini remains one of Algeria’s most recognisable defenders. The Borussia Dortmund player can operate at centre-back or left-back and brings considerable international experience to a defence undergoing a period of transition.
On the opposite side, Rayan Aït-Nouri gives Algeria another major attacking outlet.
The Manchester City full-back has developed into one of the more attack-minded defenders in European football and his ability to advance from deep could force Zambia’s wide players to spend much of the game defending.
That could be particularly important if Algeria look to overload the flanks and create space for Maza and the forwards centrally.
Midfield
Himad Abdelli – Farès Chaïbi – Ibrahim Maza
This could be the area where Algeria’s technical quality becomes most apparent.
Himad Abdelli is likely to provide the deeper presence, allowing Chaïbi and Maza greater freedom to move into advanced positions.
Farès Chaïbi, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, offers another technically accomplished option capable of carrying the ball forward and combining with the attackers.
Then comes Maza.
The young midfielder has already made an impression on the international stage and was one of Algeria’s emerging players during the 2026 World Cup. Bundesliga described his 2025/26 campaign as a breakthrough season after he made the move from Hertha to Leverkusen.
His game is not simply about scoring goals. Maza is comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces, turning away from pressure and driving at defenders. That ability to operate between the lines could make him particularly dangerous against a Zambia side that will need to keep its defensive distances compact.
If Zambia allow him time to receive, turn and face the defence, Algeria could quickly turn possession into chances.
Attack
Anis Hadj Moussa – Amine Gouiri – Mohamed Amoura
The front three could provide Algeria with a combination of pace, movement and one-on-one ability.
On the right, Hadj Moussa arrives in impressive form with Feyenoord. The 24-year-old has scored five goals and supplied one assist in six Eredivisie appearances this season, according to Opta Analyst.
His willingness to take on defenders and cut inside gives Algeria another route towards goal.
Through the middle, Amine Gouiri offers a more flexible presence. The Marseille forward is capable of playing as a conventional No. 9 but can also drop into deeper positions to link play, potentially creating space for Amoura and Hadj Moussa to attack.
And on the left is Mohamed Amoura, one of Algeria’s quickest and most dangerous attacking outlets.
The Wolfsburg forward’s pace makes him particularly threatening in transition. If Zambia push their full-backs forward, Amoura will be one of the players Algeria can look towards when attempting to exploit the space behind them.
Algeria’s reported XI
Mastil
Abada – Belaïd – Bensebaini – Aït-Nouri
Abdelli – Chaïbi – Maza
Hadj Moussa – Gouiri – Amoura
The structure offers Algeria plenty of attacking flexibility.
Aït-Nouri can push forward from left-back, while Hadj Moussa and Amoura can move inside from the wings. Gouiri can drop away from the centre-backs and Maza can advance into the space created.
It means Zambia will have more than just three forwards to worry about.
The Chipolopolo’s defensive challenge will be to prevent Algeria from establishing those combinations between the lines, particularly between Maza, Gouiri and the wide attackers.
Maza holds the key
For all the attacking talent Algeria possesses, Maza stands out because of where he is likely to operate.
The 20-year-old sits in the space between Zambia’s midfield and defence — an area where a technically gifted player can dictate the tempo, turn and release runners.
His rise has been rapid. Bayer Leverkusen signed him as their first new addition for the 2025/26 season, with the club’s sporting director Simon Rolfes describing him at the time as one of the most interesting young attacking players around.
Now, with Algeria beginning a new chapter after the World Cup, Maza has an opportunity to become one of the faces of the next generation.
For Zambia, that makes his influence one of the central tactical battles of Friday’s encounter.
Keep Maza quiet, and Zambia may make Algeria work considerably harder for their chances. Give him room, and the Chipolopolo could find themselves chasing shadows.
