Algeria and Niger will conclude their September-October international window with a friendly at Stade Hocine Ait Ahmed on Tuesday evening, with both sides looking to recover from disappointing results in their latest Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
Algeria began the Brahim Hemdani era with a 3-1 victory over Zambia but were held to a 2-2 draw by Burundi at Stade Intwari last Tuesday. The Fennecs fell two goals behind within the opening 12 minutes before Mohamed Belloumi and Adil Boulbina brought them level.
The result denied Algeria back-to-back wins, a sequence they have not managed since January. Their record in competitive matches during 2026 is three victories, two draws and three defeats, compared with three straight wins at the end of 2025.
Their friendly form has been considerably stronger. Algeria are unbeaten in their past six preparation matches since November, recording five wins and a goalless draw with Uruguay in March. They have also lost only one of their past 12 meetings with Niger and have not been beaten at home for more than two years.
Niger’s manager Nabil Neghiz faces a particularly significant occasion against his own country. Neghiz briefly managed Algeria in 2016, winning his only match in charge, and recently worked as an assistant to Vladimir Petkovic. Tuesday’s fixture will be his third game as Niger manager, having replaced Badou Zaki last month.
The Mena beat Lesotho 2-1 in Neghiz’s first match but lost 2-0 to Gabon last Tuesday, a result that left them third in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group. Niger have won only one of their past eight matches, kept one clean sheet and failed to score in four of those games. They have also won none of their past 12 away friendlies.
Himad Abdelli went off injured shortly before half-time against Burundi and is a major doubt. Adem Zorgane is expected to replace him and make his 26th international appearance. Hull City forward Belloumi, who scored in the previous match, has been involved in five goals across his past six club and international appearances.
Niger are expected to rest Aboubacar Camara after he played against Gabon despite a minor fitness concern, with Najeeb Yakubu likely to come into the right-sided role. Oumar Sako, scorer of three of Niger’s past four goals, will carry their main attacking threat.
Probable teams
Algeria: Ramdane; Hadjam, Touba, Abada, Redouani; Chaibi, Zorgane; Boulbina, Maza, Belloumi; Kebbal.
Niger: Kassali; Yakubu, Abdouramane, Sako, Alhassane; Mohamed, Oumarou; Amoustapha, Badamassi, Wonkoye; Sosah.
Algeria are tipped to win by at least two goals, with odds of 1.78, while over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.67 and both teams to score at 2.18. The suggested correct score is Algeria 4-1 Niger at 14.00 with Betclic.
Algeria’s home strength and greater attacking depth make them strong favourites. Their recent friendly form is V V V N V V, while Niger’s is D N N D N D. Across all competitions, Algeria’s sequence is D V N D V N and Niger’s is N D N D V D.