The Algeria national football team faces Niger in an international friendly match on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou, with kickoff advanced to 6:00 p.m. local time (UTC+1), onzemondial.com reported. Originally scheduled for 8:30 p.m., the timing adjustment was announced by the Fédération algérienne de football (FAF) as head coach Brahim Hemdani prepares his squad for their final fixture of the current international window.
The schedule change arrives amidst a busy period of roster adjustments for the Greens. During a training session on Saturday late afternoon at the Sidi Moussa Technical Center, the squad recovered one player while seeing another restricted to solo work, dzfoot.com reported. The team has been actively managing fitness levels following their opening matches in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
Training Ground Updates at Sidi Moussa
Midfielder Himed Abdelli returned to full group training on Saturday after spending the previous day working indoors following an injury sustained during the match against Burundi, dzfoot.com reported. Abdelli took part in the 6:00 p.m. session normally and is available for selection against Niger. Meanwhile, defender Samir Chergui trained separately under the supervision of physical trainer Nasser Daineche, dzfoot.com reported.
The physical management of the squad remains a central focus for Hemdani following a demanding qualification schedule. Algeria opened their Group phase under the new coaching staff with a 3-1 victory against Zambia on September 25, followed by a 2-2 draw away against Burundi four days later, onzemondial.com reported. Those results left the team with four points from their first two outings.
Injuries Force Hadj Moussa and Zorgane Out of Camp
The coaching staff must navigate several notable absences for Tuesday’s friendly. The FAF confirmed that forwards Anis Hadj Moussa and Adem Zorgane have been released from the training camp due to injuries, footmercato.net reported. Hadj Moussa sustained a minor injury against Zambia, while Zorgane picked up an issue during the fixture against Burundi. Both players returned to their respective clubs for treatment and recovery, footmercato.net reported.
📝 بيان | STATEMENT
#LesVerts⭐⭐ | #123vivalAlgérie🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/KFVEaZ92fr— Équipe d'Algérie de football (@LesVerts) October 2, 2026
In addition to Hadj Moussa and Zorgane, forward Amine Gouiri also departed the squad due to injury after picking up a knock early in the match against Zambia, onzemondial.com reported and lagazettedufennec.com reported. Defender Rayan Aït-Nouri was also removed from the active group, leaving Hemdani with limited personnel options as he plans tactical rotations for the fixture in Tizi-Ouzou, onzemondial.com reported.
Forward Line Evaluation Before the Niger Test
The early injury to Gouiri against Zambia forced technical changes at the center-forward position. Amin Chiakha stepped in from the bench during the opener and subsequently earned his first international start against Burundi, compiling over 140 minutes of playing time across the two qualification matches, lagazettedufennec.com reported. The 20-year-old Rosenborg BK striker, who has recorded 14 goals and three assists in 22 club appearances this season, did not register a goal contribution during the September window against deep defensive blocks, lagazettedufennec.com reported.
With Gouiri sidelined and various other senior options unavailable, Hemdani faces decisions on how to configure his attack against Niger. The friendly fixture provides an opportunity to test new combinations and evaluate fringe squad members ahead of the resumption of competitive qualifiers, onzemondial.com reported.
Chergui Fitness Remains Uncertain Before Tuesday Match
Tuesday’s encounter gets underway at 6:00 p.m. local time at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium. Whether Samir Chergui will pass his fitness tests to feature in the matchday squad remains unconfirmed following his solo training routine on Saturday, and official starting formations have not yet been released by the coaching staff.
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