Since the start of CAN 2025, many supporters have been fighting for the honorary title of “Brazilians of Africa”, a nickname claimed by Walid Regragui on the sidelines of the draw for the 2026 World Cup on December 5. If the Moroccans tried to prove their coach right by dispersing Zambia on Monday (0-3), Algeria made a serious bid this Wednesday.
Opposed to Equatorial Guinea at the conclusion of group E, the Fennecs had a great time. Victorious without trembling, Vladimir Petkovic’s men offered a magnificent spectacle to the 20,000 spectators gathered in the stands of the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, largely supportive of their cause. Redoubled passes, licked ball releases, silky combinations… The Greens poured into the Nzalang Nacional goal in waves, no doubt driven by a desire for revenge after the surprise defeat conceded to the Equatorial Guineans during CAN 2022.
Maza and Hadj Moussa, youth in power
Despite nine changes made compared to the victory won against Burkina Faso three days earlier (1-0), Algeria, already qualified and certain of finishing at the top of its group, never seemed lacking in benchmarks. Two men particularly stood out: Ibrahim Maza and Anis Hadj Moussa. Considered the future of Algerian football, the two stars aged 20 and 23 were involved in the three goals scored by the Fennecs during the first act.
The outcome? A goal and an assist for the first, two offerings for the second, one of which was magnificently addressed to his partner from Bayer Leverkusen (0-3, 32nd). Zineddine Belaïd, with a header from a corner (0-1, 19th) and Farès Chaïbi (0-2, 25th) with a clear strike had already allowed the 2019 African champions to break away.
DR Congo in the viewfinder
Irresistible during the first hour of play, Rayan Aït-Nouri and his partners could have worsened the score even further, but Monsef Bakrar came up against Jesus Owono (45th + 2) while Chaïbi hit the crossbar (63rd). The exceptional reduction in the score of Emilio Nsue, author of a powerful strike that landed directly in the top corner of Anthony Mandrea (1-3, 50th), changed nothing: Algeria was impregnable this Wednesday.
The Fennecs thus completed a perfect group stage, with three victories in three matches and 7 goals scored, a first in the first round of the CAN since 1990 (10 goals). Enough to calmly prepare for the summit clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, in the round of 16.
