Algeria beat Zambia 3-1 in AFCON 2027 qualifying opener

Algeria defeated Zambia 3-1 in the first round of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, moving to the top of Group 9.

• Algeria beat Zambia 3-1 in the opening matchday of Group 9 in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
• Joan Hajam scored for Algeria in the second minute; Fashion Sakala equalized for Zambia in the 57th.
• Ibrahim Maza restored Algeria's lead in the 67th minute, and Anis Hadj Moussa added a third in the 74th.
• Al Ahly's Moncef Bakrar remained an unused substitute for the full match.