Algeria host Togo at the Hocine-Ait-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou on Saturday, 14 November, in the third round of the CAN 2027 qualifiers. The Group I leaders go into the fixture as favourites, although Togo will be aiming to upset the hosts.
Brahim Hemdani’s side will have to cope without Jaouen Hadjam and Bachir Belloumi, who are both unavailable, while Rayan Ait-Nouri has been left out. Despite those absences, Algeria are expected to line up in a flexible 4-3-3 formation designed to provide strength in midfield and pace in wide areas.
Algeria’s expected line-up
Oussama Benbout is expected to start in goal.
The likely defence consists of Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaini, Zineddine Belaid and Fahem Benaissa.
Nabil Bentaleb, Himad Abdelli and Ibrahim Maza could form the midfield, with Anis Hadj Moussa, Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura leading the attack.
The selection would give Algeria a balance between midfield control and speed in the final third as they look to maintain their position at the top of the group.
Togo prepare a counter-attacking approach
Togo manager Patrice Neveu will also be without three players for the match. Sharani Zuberu, Steven Nador and Mansour Ouro-Tagba are unavailable, with Gustave Akueson and Yaw Annor called up to strengthen the squad.
Neveu still has the rest of a 31-player group available and is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 system. The formation should allow Togo to remain compact against Algeria while looking to exploit opportunities on the counter-attack.
Togo’s expected line-up
Malcolm Barcola is likely to start as goalkeeper, behind a defence of Abdoul-Sabourh Bode, Lilian Brassier, Kennedy Boateng and Henri Koudossou.
Djene Dakonam, Karim Dermane and Samsondin Ouro are expected to operate in midfield.
The attacking line could feature Arnaud Komlavi, Kevin Denkey and Bastou Djibril.
The fixture is Algeria’s third match in the CAN 2027 qualifying campaign and presents Togo with the opportunity to challenge the section’s leading side away from home.
Pre-match odds list Algeria as the clear favourites, with a home win priced at 1.22. A draw is valued at 6.00, while a Togo victory is listed at 16.00.