Maza saves Algeria against Zambia despite Luca Zidane's notable absence

Algeria secured a 3-1 victory over Zambia on Friday evening in Tizi Ouzou in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, thanks to a decisive Ibrahim Maza — but the absence of Luca Zidane in goal clearly weighed on the match.

Suspended for two matches by the CAF following an altercation at the final whistle of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final lost to Nigeria (2-0) on January 10 in Marrakech, the goalkeeper and son of Zinédine Zidane therefore missed the start of these qualifiers. Right-back Rafik Belghali is also subject to this sanction.

In the JS Kabylie stadium, the Fennecs made a strong start: Jaouen Hadjam, set up by Mohamed Amoura on the left flank, opened the scoring as early as the 2nd minute. But the evening quickly took a less reassuring turn. Amine Gouiri had to leave the pitch with a thigh injury in the 20th minute, and the starting goalkeeper Melvin Mastil, goalkeeper for Lausanne-Sport, was unconvincing. Fashion Sakala equalized in the 57th minute by finding his way into the box from the left, highlighting the limitations of Zidane’s backup.

It was then that Ibrahim Maza took matters into his own hands. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen scored his 3rd goal for his country with a left-footed strike in the 67th minute to restore Algeria’s advantage. Seven minutes later, he set up Anis Hadj Moussa with a decisive heel pass to seal the score at 3-1. Nicknamed “Mazadona” since his breakthrough at the last Africa Cup of Nations, the young midfielder is confirming his status as a gem of the Greens under new coach Brahim Hemdani.

Algeria now travels to Burundi next Tuesday for the second day of the qualifiers. Luca Zidane, meanwhile, will still be absent.