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For its fourth match in group “H” of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, EN will be the guest of Uganda today (5:00 p.m.) at the “Nelson Mandela” stadium in Kampala in a confrontation under the sign of tension. Of all the fears
After an alarming defeat against Guinea, Algeria lost its advantage in qualifying and is approaching the end of its June camp with big worries. Obviously, the task promises to be difficult and another failure could seriously compromise his chances of qualifying for the World Cup, which would be another hard blow for El Khadra and his supporters who will not forgive him.
Vladimir Perković, eager to redeem himself after a failed official start, decided to reshuffle his group and reorganize his players to get off to a better start. To get back on the path to victory, the new Fennecs coach will probably make several changes in order to offer a more balanced and solid starting lineup.
These adjustments will be essential to face the Ugandan team, a major opponent although considered more modest than Guinea. A defensive reshuffle is particularly expected. If Mandi was solid during the last match, Tougaï, on the other hand, did not convince, leaving spaces that the Guinean attack exploited brilliantly. In his place, Zinedine Belaïd could make his debut under the new coach.
The captain of USM Alger, who had success (1-2) against the same selection in CAN qualifying in June 2023, could join the starting eleven. However, his strong foot (the right) could pose problems if he is aligned as a left central defender, a position which could require great adaptability from him. The separation between the offensive and defensive sectors was evident during the last match, which greatly handicapped Bentaleb and his teammates, showing an eleven cut in two.
Bennacer, a return that will do good
This time, in the middle of the field, one of the best Algerian players could finally make his comeback. Indeed, Ismaël Bennacer, AC Milan midfielder, was sorely missed by the “Greens”.
Best passer, best player and CAN 2019 champion, and key element under former coach Belmadi, Bennacer is expected to regulate the midfield. He will serve as a strong link between attack and defense thanks to his technical, defensive and, even more, offensive qualities. The return of the Lombard “box to box” can only be beneficial for his teammates, by providing both stability and creativity.
In attack, Yacine Brahimi will be absent due to injury. This absence could allow Houssem Aouar to take his place as number 10. The AS Roma playmaker, with his flair, his key passes and his vision of the game, could bring a new dynamic to the offensive Algerian, creating opportunities and facilitating the transition between the three compartments of the game.
As a reminder, Algeria has won its last two meetings against Uganda, which could a priori constitute a psychological advantage. However, Paul Put’s men remain on a victory against Botswana and are determined to continue this momentum. Importantly, ‘The Cranes’ are now tied on points with Algeria, Mozambique and Guinea, with only goal difference separating them. This means that every match counts and that the margin for error is extremely small for all the selections entered in this competition.
Whatever the cost, Attal and his comrades will have to approach the rest of this qualifying phase with a well-considered strategy and unfailing determination. Petković’s tactical adjustments, the return of key players like Bennacer, and the integration of new elements could be the keys to success for a team seeking to rediscover its bearings and its soul or even its past glory and show itself capable again to secure its place on the world stage after a ten-year absence from the global event…