Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani says defensive organisation is his “priority project” after his side came from behind to beat Niger 2-1 in a friendly in Tizi Ouzou on Tuesday.
The result offered limited reassurance following Algeria’s difficult 2-2 draw with Burundi in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with Hemdani’s team again failing to keep a clean sheet.
Hemdani made seven changes to the side that started against Burundi, but Algeria made a poor start against Niger and fell behind after 12 minutes. Konan Ndri took advantage of uncertainty between Zineddine Belaid, captaining the side for the evening, and goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane, whose handling was not secure enough to prevent the goal.
The quarter-finalists from the last CAN were unsettled on several further occasions before recovering to secure victory.
Algeria are still rebuilding their defence following Aissa Mandi’s international retirement. Against Niger, the back four consisted of Sohaib Nair, Belaid, Ahmed Touba and Jaouen Hadjam, from right to left.
The team have now gone without a clean sheet in all three matches of this sequence, having also conceded against Zambia in a 3-1 win and Burundi in the 2-2 draw that began their CAN 2027 qualifying campaign.
“We suffered in the first half. We cannot be satisfied with our performance during that period because we allowed Niger to take control of the match and go ahead,” Hemdani said at his post-match news conference.
“This is a priority project. We were put under pressure in the first half and had to withstand it. We have shortcomings, and they seem obvious in terms of defensive organisation.
“We are looking for the right combinations in different positions. The central defensive partnership is an important part of the defensive unit. Chergui was tired and we did not want to take a risk. The project is a big one: there are many changes and new players.”
Hemdani has not convinced all of Algeria’s demanding supporters, but the manager urged patience as he continues to assess his options, particularly at centre-back.
“My starting point was to see as many of the players I called up as possible, so I could form an opinion. I have lessons to learn from this,” he said.
“I remain optimistic and I am convinced that we will achieve our aims. I now have a clear idea of the players’ potential. We used 26 players during this gathering.”
Algeria’s next assignment will be a two-legged tie against Togo in November in the CAN 2027 qualifiers. Hemdani will be able to call on suspended players Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali, while Rayan Ait-Nouri could also return if his disciplinary omission from this camp does not continue.