Algeria vs Zambia Prediction, Odds and Betting tips

Algeria vs Zambia Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Competition: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying · Group: I · Round: Matchday 1 · Date: 25 September 2026 · Kick-off: 19:00 GMT · Venue: Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed, Tizi Ouzou

Team News, Call-Ups and Availability

Algeria begin a new cycle under Brahim Hemdani, who has made substantial selection changes. Hemdani has retained Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Nabil Bentaleb, Mohamed Amoura and Amine Gouiri. Houssem Aouar and Hicham Boudaoui were omitted by technical decision. Zambia named a 27-player group with experienced attacking names including Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka, with Lameck Banda and Gamphani Lungu also reported among the selections. Cletus Chama, Lubambo Musonda and several other familiar players were not selected. Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali are suspended for Algeria, and Yacine Titraoui is injured. Kings Kangwa is suspended for Zambia.

Projected Lineups

Projected lineup — not confirmed: Algeria — Bensebaini and Aït-Nouri in defence, Bentaleb in midfield and Amoura and Gouiri in attack; the precise shape is uncertain because this is Hemdani’s first qualifying squad. Zambia’s attack can feature Daka and/or Sakala with Lameck Banda as a direct option, without Kings Kangwa, who is suspended. Official team sheets take precedence once they are released.

Head-to-Head and Match Analysis

WorldFootball lists 16 meetings: eight Algeria wins, four Zambia wins and three draws in its dataset, with Algeria ahead 21-10 on goals. The latest meeting finished 3-3 in 2021. Algeria won 5-0 at home in 2019, but Zambia beat Algeria home and away in the 2018 World Cup qualifying cycle. Hemdani’s first competitive lineup is the central unknown. Algeria still have established quality on the left and through the front line, but the omissions and suspensions mean familiar combinations will not all be available. Zambia can release Daka, Sakala or Banda into space, which gives the visitors a clear transition route, so Algeria’s rest defence may matter almost as much as their possession around the Zambian box. With Zidane and Belghali suspended and Aouar and Boudaoui out of the group, the balance between attacking freedom and cover is Hemdani’s first big decision.

Statistical coverage is partial. Group I has no 2027 qualifying sample before this match, so HOME/AWAY splits, xG, shots, possession and corners for the current competition are not available and are not estimated; head-to-head figures are historical context from other competitions and years, not current-edition averages.

Market Price and Value

Conclusion

A new coach, several omitted senior players and two suspensions make Algeria harder to read than their record against Zambia suggests, while Zambia’s forwards give them a genuine route to goal. The evening in Tizi Ouzou is as much about Hemdani’s first competitive team selection as about the result.

Sources

- CAF — AFCON PAMOJA 2027 MD1 & MD2 fixtures, kick-off times and venues: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/totalenergies-caf-afcon-pamoja-2027-md-1-2-qualifiers-fixtures-kick-off-times-and-venues/ - CAF — Aouar and Boudaoui left out as Hemdani makes bold calls: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/aouar-and-boudaoui-left-out-as-hemdani-makes-bold-calls-in-first-algeria-squad-for-afcon-2027-qualifiers/ - Lusaka Times — Lwandamina names Chipolopolo squad: https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/09/14/lwandamina-names-chipolopolo-squad-chama-mumba-miss-out/ - Zambian Football — Chipolopolo arrive in Algeria: https://zambianfootball.co.zm/chipolopolo-arrive-in-algeria-ahead-of-crucial-afcon-qualifier/ - WorldFootball.net — Algeria v Zambia: https://www.worldfootball.net/match-report/co1087/caf-africa-cup-qual/ma12093476/algeria_zambia/