Algeria and Zambia kick off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign when they square off at the Hocine Aït-Ahmed Stadium on Friday. Both sides are meeting for the first time since March 2021, when they played out a thrilling 3-3 stalemate in Group H of the AFCON qualifiers.
Having suffered a 3-0 loss to Argentina in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, Algeria bounced back with four points from their subsequent two games to finish third and reach the round of 32, where they fell to a 2-0 loss against Switzerland.
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This followed a quarter-final exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Green fell to a 2-0 defeat against Nigeria courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
Algeria now get underway in the AFCON qualifiers, where they are aiming to secure a seventh consecutive appearance in the continental showpiece since missing out back in 2012.
On the other hand, Zambia endured a hugely disappointing run in the 2025 AFCON, where they picked up just two points from their three group games to finish rock-bottom in Group A.
This was in keeping with their performance in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the Chipolopolo lost five of their eight matches and finished fourth in Group E back in 2025, only above last-placed Congo Republic.
Zambia, who sit 90th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, are aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, having crashed out in the group stages back in the 2025 and 2023 editions.
Algeria vs Zambia Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With eight wins from the last 16 meetings between the sides, Algeria boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Zambia have picked up four wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on four occasions.
- Algeria are unbeaten in their last 21 AFCON qualifying games, picking up 16 wins and five draws since losing 1-0 to Benin in October 2018.
- Zambia have failed to win 11 of their last 12 competitive matches, losing eight and claiming three draws since June 2025.
Algeria vs Zambia Prediction
Algeria have named a strong squad for their upcoming qualifying matches, with several quality names included in Hemdani’s 26-man list.
While we expect Zambia to put up a fight, we predict Algeria will do enough to secure maximum points at the Hocine Aït-Ahmed Stadium.
Prediction: Algeria 2-0 Zambia
Algeria vs Zambia Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Algeria to win
Tip 2: First-half winners – Algeria (Zambia have trailed at half time in five of their last seven matches)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have been fewer than five bookings in Algeria’s last six games)
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli