Algeria closed their training camp with a 2-1 win over Niger in Tizi Ouzou, driven by Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and captain Ramy Bensebaini, but Brahim Maza’s injury exit cast a shadow over the evening.
Final match of the camp: Algeria came from behind to beat Niger 2-1 on Tuesday evening at the Hocine Aït Ahmed stadium in Tizi Ouzou, according to DZWatch. Trailing at half-time, the national team had to wait until the second half to turn things around.
The win took shape after the break, with a free-kick goal from Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and then a penalty converted by captain Ramy Bensebaini. The evening was also marked by an ankle injury to Brahim Maza, who went off before half-time.
Niger surprise, Maza stops
Yet Algeria made a poor start to the game. As early as the 12th minute, Konan Ndri opened the scoring for Niger, and the men of head coach Ibrahima Hamdani went into the dressing room a goal down.
The blow came in the 38th minute: attacking midfielder Brahim Maza, hurt in the ankle, left the pitch and was replaced by Mohamed Belloumi. DZWatch does not specify the exact nature of the injury, which has yet to be assessed.
Belloumi and Bensebaini to the rescue
Algeria’s response came in the 53rd minute, from a direct free kick by substitute Mohamed Bachir Belloumi, who brought the two teams level. Hamdani then sent on Ramy Bensebaini, Achraf Abada, Adel Boulbina and Fares Chaibi, a change that swung the match, according to DZWatch.
In the 73rd minute, a penalty won by Algeria was converted by captain Ramy Bensebaini, sealing the 2-1 victory. Coming on during the game, the defender thus completed his side’s comeback.
First starts and Togo in sight
This friendly also gave three new faces a look-in in the starting eleven: goalkeeper Abedlattif Ramadan, centre-back Soheib Nayr and attacking midfielder Ilan Kebbal all made their first start for Algeria.
According to DZWatch, the win is seen as important for the squad’s morale ahead of the official competitions to come. The next fixture is already known: Algeria are preparing to play matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Togo in November, El Ayem News reports.