Redemption in the Desert: Algeria’s Quest for a Third Star at AFCON 2025
Algeria arrives in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with hopes to end a recent slump marked by group stage exits. Under new head coach Vladimir Petkovic, the team has transitioned to a more disciplined approach, integrating new talents like Luca Zidane and veteran players like Riyad Mahrez. Having dominated in qualifying, Algeria aims to harness its rich AFCON legacy to challenge for the cup. Ranked as third favorites, the Desert Warriors plan to leverage strong fan support and tactical brilliance to ascend to the semifinals, if not further.
- Algeria are aiming to rebound after group-stage exits in recent AFCONs
- Vladimir Petkovic has a strong attack led by Riyad Mahrez & Mohamed Amoura
- Ranked third favorites, Algeria will have strong support in Morocco
- A Legacy of Continental Greatness
- Algeria’s AFCON History
- The Road to Morocco: Qualifying Dominance
- The Mastermind: Vladimir Petkovic
- Squad
- Fixtures at AFCON 2025
- Expert Prediction & Betting Odds
- AFCON 2025 Winner Odds
After the heartbreak of consecutive group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023, the North African giants have undergone a tactical metamorphosis.
With a blend of veteran leadership and exciting new talent, Algeria is being tipped as a heavyweight capable of reclaiming the title they last claimed in 2019.
A Legacy of Continental Greatness
Algeria’s history at the Africa Cup of Nations is defined by periods of dominance followed by baffling slumps. Their first major success came on home soil in 1990, where a golden generation led by Rabah Madjer defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the final.
It took nearly three decades to replicate that feat, finally doing so in 2019 in Egypt. That tournament was a tactical masterclass by Djamel Belmadi, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Senegal thanks to a deflected Baghdad Bounedjah goal.
Beyond the trophies, the 1980s remain a "Golden Era" where Algeria finished in the top four in three consecutive tournaments (1980, 1982, 1984). However, the recent years have been difficult.
Despite having one of the most talented squads in Africa, they failed to win a single game in the last two editions, a statistic they are desperate to erase in Morocco.
Algeria’s AFCON History
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Ethiopia | Group Stage |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Runners-up |
| 1982 | Libya | Fourth Place |
| 1984 | Ivory Coast | Third Place |
| 1986 | Egypt | Group Stage |
| 1988 | Morocco | Third Place |
| 1990 | Algeria | Champions |
| 1992 | Senegal | Group Stage |
| 1996 | South Africa | Quarter-finals |
| 1998 | Burkina Faso | Group Stage |
| 2000 | Ghana/Nigeria | Quarter-finals |
| 2002 | Mali | Group Stage |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | Angola | Fourth Place |
| 2013 | South Africa | Group Stage |
| 2015 | Equatorial Guinea | Quarter-finals |
| 2017 | Gabon | Group Stage |
| 2019 | Egypt | Champions |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Group Stage |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Group Stage |
The Road to Morocco: Qualifying Dominance
Algeria’s qualifying campaign for the 2025 edition was nothing short of clinical. Placed in Group E alongside Equatorial Guinea, Togo, and Liberia, the Desert Foxes asserted their authority early.
They finished the campaign unbeaten, dropping points only in a 0-0 draw away to Equatorial Guinea after qualification had been guaranteed. A 5-1 thrashing of Liberia in the final matchday served as a warning to the rest of the continent.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 16 |
| 2 | Equatorial Guinea | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 8 |
| 3 | Togo | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 5 |
| 4 | Liberia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | -8 | 4 |
The Mastermind: Vladimir Petkovic
Following the departure of Djamel Belmadi, the Algerian Football Federation turned to Vladimir Petkovic.
Appointed in early 2024, the Bosnian-Swiss manager brings a wealth of European experience, most notably leading the Swiss national team for seven years.
During his tenure with Switzerland, he became known for his tactical flexibility and the historic elimination of world champions France at Euro 2020.
Petkovic has transitioned Algeria away from the emotional, high-intensity style of his predecessor toward a more disciplined and structured "European" approach.
The 62-year-old prioritises ball retention and high-pressing, but his biggest impact has been the integration of new talent, convincing several high-profile dual-nationals like Ibrahim Maza and Luca Zidane to commit to the Desert Warriors.
Squad
The most headline-grabbing inclusion in Petkovic’s squad is goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, who recently switched his international allegiance. His presence provides a fresh dynamic in goal.
Defensively, the duo of Ramy Bensebaini and Aissa Mandi provides the veteran experience necessary for a deep tournament run.
The engine room will be led by Ismael Bennacer, whose recovery from injury is a massive boost for the North Africans. His partnership with Ramiz Zerrouki will be vital in controlling the tempo of matches against physically demanding sub-Saharan opponents.
The squad remains anchored by the legendary Riyad Mahrez, who continues to serve as captain and the creative heartbeat of the team. Alongside him, Mohamed Amoura has emerged as the team's most dangerous scoring threat, arriving in Morocco after a strong start to his season in Germany with Wolfsburg.
There are some notable absences. Long-time striker Islam Slimani, the country's all-time leading scorer, was left out as Petkovic looks to modernize the attack with younger, more mobile forwards like Monsef Bakrar.
Veteran midfielder Sofiane Feghouli has moved aside for the likes of Houssem Aouar and the rising Bayer Leverkusen star Ibrahim Maza, signaling a definitive shift toward a new era.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Anthony Mandrea | Caen |
| Goalkeeper | Oussama Benbot | USM Alger |
| Goalkeeper | Luca Zidane | Granada |
| Defender | Ryan Ait-Nouri | Manchester City |
| Defender | Youcef Atal | Al Sadd |
| Defender | Rafik Belghali | Hellas Verona |
| Defender | Aissa Mandi | Lille |
| Defender | Mohamed Amine Tougai | Esperance de Tunis |
| Defender | Ramy Bensebaini | Borussia Dortmund |
| Defender | Jaouen Hadjam | Young Boys |
| Defender | Zineddine Belaid | JS Kabylie |
| Defender | Samir Chergui | Paris FC |
| Defender | Mehdi Dorval | Bari |
| Midfielder | Ismael Bennacer | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Midfielder | Ramiz Zerrouki | Twente |
| Midfielder | Hicham Boudaoui | Nice |
| Midfielder | Houssem Aouar | Al Ittihad |
| Midfielder | Adem Zorgane | Union Saint-Gilloise |
| Midfielder | Ibrahim Maza | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Midfielder | Ilan Kebbal | Paris FC |
| Midfielder | Fares Chaibi | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Forward | Riyad Mahrez | Al-Ahli |
| Forward | Mohamed Amoura | Wolfsburg |
| Forward | Anis Hadj Moussa | Feyenoord |
| Forward | Baghdad Bounedjah | Al-Shamal |
| Forward | Monsef Bakrar | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Forward | Adil Boulbina | Al-Duhail |
| Forward | Redouane Berkane | Al-Wakrah |
Fixtures at AFCON 2025
Algeria open against Sudan, a team that has improved significantly but should be overwhelmed by Algeria's technical quality.
The pivotal match comes on December 28th against Burkina Faso. The Stallions have a history of frustrating Algeria with their physical defense and rapid counter-attacks; topping the group will likely depend on the result of this clash in Rabat.
If Algeria tops Group E, they are scheduled to meet the runner-up from Group D (potentially DR Congo or Benin) in the Round of 16.
However, should they finish as runners-up, a much tougher path awaits, likely involving a meeting with the winner of Group F, which contains heavyweights like Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Winning the group is essential to avoid a premature exit and keep the momentum building toward the final.
| Date | Time (CET) | Fixture | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | 16:00 | Algeria vs Sudan | Moulay Hassan Stadium | Rabat |
| Dec 28, 2025 | 18:30 | Algeria vs Burkina Faso | Moulay Hassan Stadium | Rabat |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 17:00 | Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea | Moulay Hassan Stadium | Rabat |
Prediction
Algeria is currently ranked as the third favorite to win the tournament. With the event held in neighboring Morocco, they will enjoy significant "away" support from traveling fans.
Their favorable draw and clinical form in qualifying suggest they will breeze into the knockout rounds. I expect them to reach the semi-finals, with the quality to go all the way if Ismael Bennacer and Riyad Mahrez stay fit.
AFCON 2025 Winner Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Team | Odds |
| Morocco | 3.65 |
| Egypt | 7.00 |
| Algeria | 7.00 |
| Senegal | 7.30 |
| Nigeria | 10.50 |
| Ivory Coast | 13.00 |
| Tunisia | 13.00 |
| Mali | 13.00 |
| Cameroon | 19.50 |
| South Africa | 41.00 |
| DR Congo | 51.00 |
| Angola | 69.00 |
| Burkina Faso | 83.00 |
| Zambia | 83.00 |
| Gabon | 83.00 |
| Mozambique | 101.00 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 101.00 |
| Benin | 101.00 |
| Sudan | 101.00 |
| Comoros | 151.00 |
| Tanzania | 151.00 |
| Uganda | 201.00 |
| Zimbabwe | 351.00 |
| Botswana | 501.00 |
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