Algeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over Zambia, overcoming a second-half fightback from the Chipolopolo to secure all three points.
Jaouen Hadjam, Ibrahim Maza and Anis Hadj Moussa scored for Algeria, while Fashion Sakala briefly restored hope for Zambia. Mohamed Amoura was particularly influential for the hosts, providing two assists.
Hadjam Gives Algeria a Dream Start
Algeria wasted virtually no time taking control of the contest.
Just two minutes after kick-off, Jaouen Hadjam broke the deadlock after being supplied by Mohamed Amoura, giving the Desert Foxes the perfect start.
The early goal allowed Algeria to settle into the match and put Zambia under immediate pressure.
The hosts were forced into an early adjustment when Amine Gouiri suffered an injury, prompting Amin Chiakha to replace him in the 20th minute.
Despite that setback, Algeria protected their advantage and headed into half-time 1-0 ahead.
Fashion Sakala Brings Zambia Back
Zambia responded immediately after the interval by introducing David Simukonda for Patson Daka.
The change paid dividends.
In the 57th minute, Simukonda provided the assist for Fashion Sakala, who found the net to bring Chipolopolo level at 1-1.
Suddenly, Zambia was back in the contest, and Algeria’s comfortable opening had become a much tougher AFCON qualifying battle.
Ibrahim Maza Restores Algeria’s Advantage
Zambia’s celebrations lasted only ten minutes.
Algeria regained the lead in the 67th minute, with Ibrahim Maza converting from another Amoura assist to make it 2-1.
Amoura’s second assist of the afternoon underlined his importance to Algeria’s attacking performance, while Maza’s finish restored momentum for the North Africans.
Zambia responded with a triple substitution a minute later as Ghampani Lungu, Lameck Banda and Owen Tembo entered the action.
Algeria also turned to their bench, and one of those changes quickly delivered the decisive moment.
Hadj Moussa Makes Immediate Impact
Anis Hadj Moussa replaced Mohamed Belloumi in the 71st minute and needed only three minutes to make his mark.
In the 74th minute, Hadj Moussa finished a move created by Maza to extend Algeria’s advantage to 3-1.
It proved to be the goal that effectively ended Zambia’s hopes of completing a comeback.
Zambia continued searching for a response, but Algeria controlled the closing stages to protect their two-goal cushion and seal an important opening-round victory.
Algeria vs Zambia: Key Match Facts
- Final score: Algeria 3-1 Zambia
- Half-time: Algeria 1-0 Zambia
- Algeria scorers: Jaouen Hadjam 2′, Ibrahim Maza 67′, Anis Hadj Moussa 74′
- Zambia scorer: Fashion Sakala 57′
- Mohamed Amoura: Two assists
- Ibrahim Maza: One goal and one assist
- Competition: Africa Cup of Nations Qualification – Round 1
What the Result Means
For Algeria, the 3-1 victory provides an ideal start to AFCON qualification. More encouragingly, three different players found the net, while Amoura and Maza played central roles in creating chances.
Zambia can take encouragement from their response after half-time, particularly Sakala’s equalizer, but conceding twice within 17 minutes of drawing level ultimately proved costly.
For Tanzanian football followers keeping a close eye on the AFCON qualification picture, results such as this underline the competitiveness awaiting teams across the continent as the battle for places at Africa’s premier international tournament gathers momentum.
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Final Word
Algeria 3-1 Zambia was ultimately a statement-opening performance from the Desert Foxes.
Hadjam provided the perfect start, Sakala threatened to change the story with Zambia’s second-half equalizer, but Maza quickly restored Algeria’s advantage before substitute Hadj Moussa sealed the win.
For Zambia, there were promising moments but no points. For Algeria, it is three goals, three points and a winning start to AFCON qualification.
