To continue its momentum from September and ensure 99% of its presence at the next African Cup of Nations in Morocco, Algeria had to overcome Togo.
2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifier – J3
Stadium of May 19, 1956 (Annaba)
Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali)
Algeria 5-1 Togo
Buts: Klidje (11′), Benrahma (29′, 54′), Aouar (68′), Gouiri (86′), Amoura (90+5′)
Cartons : Dakonam (46′), Ouro-Gneni (53′), Romao (74′), Boudaoui (90+2′)
Algeria : 1 – Guendouz, 2 – Mandi, 4 – Tougaï, 21 – Bensebaïni, 15 – Aït-Nouri, 19 – Zorgane (14 – Boudaoui, 45′), 6 – Zerrouki, 8 – Aouar (24 – Maza, 89′) , 10 – Benrahma (3 – Farsi, 83′), 7 – Mahrez (c) (11 – Gouiri, 74′), 9 – Bounedjah (18 – Amoura, 74′)/ Entr. : V. Petkovic
Togo : 1 – Ouro-Gneni, 13 – Amevor, 21 – Dakonam (c), 15 – Romao (19 – Akueson, 78′), 22 – Agbagno, 17 – Dermane, 14 – Aholou, 7 – Placa Fessou, 18 – Klidje , 11 – Narey (12 – Atté, 78′), 8 – Denkey / Entr. : N. Daré
It was therefore with a 4-3-3 (or 4-2-3-1) similar to that which had been lined up against Equatorial Guinea that Vladimir Petkovic chose to present himself to the Annaba public. Despite his good performances in the Bundesliga, Mohamed Amoura took his place on the bench while Riyad Mahrez, in difficulty, had the opportunity to show that he was still there.
The defense has also undergone a number of changes. Farsi, although excellent against Liberia, was sacrificed in favor of a 4-man scheme where Mandi was responsible for being the versatile right-back that his coach was looking for. For the rest, almost no surprise since Boudaoui, who returned in great form to Nice, was not started either.
A first half on a false rhythm
The meeting initially appeared quite strange. Disputed without the actors giving the impression of being all out, it gave way to a logical overwhelming domination of the Greens, but a relatively sterile domination.
Togo, on the other hand, knows how to be patient. If he doesn’t have the ball, he concedes few clear chances and is an assassin on the very few counterattacks he has. On a long ball, very poorly negotiated by Tougaï and poorly read by Guendouz, Thibault Klidje thus crucifies Algeria (0-1) from the 11th minute of play.
Togo’s goal
Algeria, obviously well ahead technically, continues to have possession but also to have difficulty being truly dangerous. We will have to count on a feat, an exceptional long-range strike from Saïd Benrahma to allow the Algerian equalizer, first, and the awakening of the Annaba public, then (1-1, 29′).
Benrahma’s superb goal
The established false rhythm will continue until the end of the half, and the pattern also observed: because Algeria is not really dangerous, Togo makes full use of its opportunities and narrowly misses taking the lead. in front. A goal everywhere at the break and everything remains to be done for the National Team, therefore.
A more unbridled second half
Algeria will not return with the same eleven players from the locker room. Adem Zorgue, disappointing, is replaced by an immediately more incisive Hichem Boudaoui. However, the game is not necessarily faster and we see, again, that Togo can be dangerous at any time.
Fortunately, in the 53rd minute, a beautiful pass from Mahrez, a superb call from Bounedjah and a catastrophic exit from Ouro-Gneni allowed us to obtain a penalty, which Benrahma transformed for a double which would do him the greatest good in the selection.
Benrahma’s penalty goal
A few minutes later, Bounedjah stood out with an absolutely incomprehensible miss: Mahrez, well offset by Aouar, sent a good shot with his right foot which the goalkeeper released on Bounedjah, alone and at close range. His head cannot find the frame.
Bounedjah’s incredible failure
Algeria will not be discouraged however and will take advantage of their number 10 (8 on the jersey) Houssem Aouar to increase the score. The former Lyon player, definitely still performing well in the National Team, took advantage of a poorly cleared ball to score his team’s third goal, with a beautiful, ideally placed strike (3-1, 68′).
The Golden Goals
In the minutes that followed, Bounedjah, once again, stood out by missing a one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper. He will give way, like Mahrez, to the Gouiri – Amoura duo. Behind, Denke will face Guendouz and send a heavy strike repelled by the neo-international, in a clean manner. A signal, despite everything, that Algeria will have trembled somewhat this evening, victim of an inadequate defense.
We will also note the entry into play of Farsi in a winger position, then a beautiful deep pass from Aït-Nouri for Amoura. Gouiri, who followed well, took the ball left free by the goalkeeper and did not hesitate to score in his turn (4-1, 86′).
Gouiri’s goal
Author of a full match, as often lately, Aouar gives way to Maza, who therefore becomes an Algerian international at only 18 years old. We fear a penalty, too, but the foul committed by Boudaoui in added time was not in the penalty area.
In the very last moments, we thought the match was over but Algeria produced a superb sequence: Gouiri sent Maza, who shifted Farsi and passed for Amoura, clean and clear (5-1, 90+5′). Algeria wins by a wide margin!
The last goal, superb
DZfoot
