Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Adil Boulbina scored as Algeria recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Burundi in Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, offering Brahim Hemdani encouragement from an often underestimated domestic talent pool.
The result should not reopen the familiar argument over players developed in Algeria and dual nationals educated in European academies. All represent the same team, and a player’s training background offers no guarantee of success at international level.
But in difficult conditions in Bujumbura, on an artificial pitch during the afternoon, Belloumi and Boulbina produced the moments that allowed Algeria to rescue a point.
Belloumi, who began his development at GC Mascara before joining MC Oran and later continuing his progress in Portugal and England, brought the visitors back into the game by reducing the deficit after 30 minutes.
Boulbina then levelled with an excellent direct free-kick. The two forwards had already emerged as among the few positive aspects of the draw, despite neither producing a flawless performance.
Boulbina, in particular, struggled for parts of the match before his goal. Yet both players delivered what is required from an international in a demanding contest: a decisive contribution when their side needed it most.
The contrast with some of Algeria’s Europe-trained players was apparent. Himad Abdelli found it difficult to influence the game before going off injured, while Fares Chaibi endured a particularly challenging afternoon that included an own goal.
That should not be treated as evidence of a wider rule. Saadi Radouani and Achraf Abada, who represent the Algerian league, also found the match difficult. Belloumi and Boulbina’s achievement was based on their individual performances, not simply where they were developed.
For Hemdani, however, their display is a significant boost. He understands the potential of Algeria’s domestic game, having coached an Algeria U21 side made up exclusively of players from the Algerian league at the Mediterranean Games only weeks before taking charge of the senior team.
That group went on to win the gold medal in Taranto after an almost perfect campaign.
Belloumi now has a strong opportunity to establish himself in the rotation on the right, while Boulbina has demonstrated both his striking technique and his ability to change a game. The presence of Mohamed Amoura makes a place in the starting XI more difficult to secure, but Boulbina’s position in the pecking order is now considerably stronger.
History nonetheless counsels caution. In 2017, Rabah Madjer attempted to give a much greater role to players from the Algerian league. That approach soon revealed its limitations, and Algeria subsequently returned to a team structure dominated by players developed or playing in Europe.
Hemdani does not need to impose a quota. His responsibility is to choose the best players, regardless of where they were trained. But the U21 triumph in Taranto and the goals scored by Belloumi and Boulbina in Bujumbura have delivered a clear message: Algeria’s domestic system can offer more than occasional depth.