Algerian football icon Lakhdar Belloumi watched from the stands as his son, Mohamed Bachir Belloumi, made his first senior international start for the national team during a 3-1 victory over Zambia. The opening fixture of the CAN 2027 qualifiers took place on Friday evening at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou, marking a notable milestone for the young forward under the direction of manager Brahim Hemdani.
A Historic Night at Tizi Ouzou
The fixture at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium brought together two distinct eras of Algerian football on Friday night. Lakhdar Belloumi, who earned the African Ballon d’Or in 1981, sat among the spectators to witness his son step onto the pitch in the starting lineup. The younger Belloumi operated along the attacking flank before yielding his position in the 70th minute, capping an encouraging baptism of fire on the international stage.
The national team secured a 3-1 win over Zambia to launch their campaign. While the result anchored a strong start to the qualification schedule, the evening’s narrative centered heavily on the integration of fresh talent into the squad under newly appointed leadership.
Lakhdar Belloumi Evaluates the Debut
Speaking after the final whistle, the former number 10 offered a measured assessment of both his son’s performance and the broader trajectory of the squad. Emphasizing patience during a transitional phase for the team, Lakhdar Belloumi noted that immediate wholesale changes are neither practical nor necessary.
“C’est le premier match, on ne peut pas changer ni l’équipe ni l’entraîneur. Doucement, on arrivera, inchallah,” Lakhdar Belloumi stated, counseling patience for the developing group.
Addressing the younger Belloumi’s specific contributions on the field, the 1981 African Ballon d’Or winner highlighted his passing ability with a lighthearted touch. “Bachir est là, il est présent. L’essentiel, c’est qu’il donne de bonnes passes comme son père (rires). C’est le plus important,” he remarked.
Prioritizing Collective Success
Beyond individual milestones, the elder Belloumi stressed that the collective ambitions of the team must always supersede personal achievements. Acknowledging the talent present within the emerging crop of players, he maintained full confidence in the roster’s depth while keeping the focus strictly on national duty.
“Il aura un bel avenir, inchallah. Il y a des joueurs comme lui, ou peut-être mieux que lui. L’essentiel, c’est l’équipe nationale,” Lakhdar Belloumi affirmed, reiterating that team unity remains paramount.
The victory over Zambia provides the team with early momentum as the qualification rounds continue. For Mohamed Bachir Belloumi, the 70-minute shift on the wing establishes a baseline for future selection as the squad prepares for its upcoming fixtures.
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