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The Algerian national football team won against Zimbabwe 3-1 (half-time: 3-0), in a friendly match played Thursday evening at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), as part of the preparation for the CAN-2025 African Cup of Nations (December 21 – January 18, 2026).
As was to be expected, the Greens were more enterprising from the start of the match, which allowed them to open the scoring through Bounedjah (14th), ideally served by Amoura.
We had to wait until the 40th minute of play to witness the first action of the “Warriors”. Sean Fusire’s shot in the area was intercepted by goalkeeper Benbot.
A few seconds later, Amoura transformed into a scorer, and played through the Zimbabwean defense to make the break with a powerful shot inside 18 yards (41st).
Just before the lemon break, defender Hadjam joined in, to add to the score, taking advantage of a ball poorly cleared by an opposing defender (45th+1).
Between defections due to injury and tactical choices, national coach Vladimir Petkovic has lined up a largely overhauled eleven, including a new central axis composed of Belaïd and Chergui.
Returning from the locker room, the Greens continued their domination against a Zimbabwean team unable to react, but without managing to increase their success despite great opportunities.
Left back Aït-Nouri, who is making his return after an absence of a month and a half due to injury, lobbed the Zimbabwean goalkeeper, but missed the target (58th).
At the end of the match, Zimbabwe reduced the score with a penalty converted by substitute Chirewa (87th).
Entering the game (68th), SC Charleroi (Belgium) midfielder Yacine Titraoui made his first appearance in the national jersey. For his part, the author of the third goal, Hadjam, was injured (69th).
The Greens will play a second test match, this time against an opponent of another caliber: Saudi Arabia of Hervé Renard, who remains on course to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The match will be played on Tuesday, November 18, at the same venue (5:30 p.m.). The Saudis will first face Ivory Coast on Friday in Jeddah.
For its part, the Zimbabwean selection, 129th in the latest FIFA rankings, misses its first match under the leadership of the new coach, the Romanian Marian Mario Marinica, hired at the beginning of November, replacing the German Michael Nees, sacked.
Zimbabwe, which has its eleventh match without a win, will continue by facing Qatar on Monday, November 17 in Doha.
