Algeria continue their push for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they host Botswana at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, Tizi Ouzou.
The Desert Warriors sit top of Group G with 15 points from six games and are aiming to extend their lead over second-placed Mozambique. Botswana, currently third with nine points, will be looking to keep their own qualification hopes alive.
- Date & Time: Thursday, September 4 – 20:00 GMT+1
- Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana from Burundi
- How to Watch: L’Équipe and SSC.
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Form guide
- Algeria have won five of their six qualifiers, with their only defeat coming against Guinea in June. Since then, they have beaten Uganda 2-1, Botswana 3-1 and Mozambique 5-1.
- They boast the best attack in CAF qualifying with 16 goals scored and have lost only one of their last 10 games in all competitions.
- The North Africans are targeting a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, when they reached the last 16 in Brazil.
- Botswana sit three points behind Mozambique and are chasing at least a playoff spot.
- They claimed a 2-0 win over Somalia last time out but have struggled for consistency, with only one victory in their last six games across all competitions.
- Under head coach Morena Ramoreboli, the Zebras reached only their second-ever AFCON earlier this year, but World Cup qualification remains a tall order.
Team news
- Algeria will be without Ismael Bennacer (injury), while Mohamed Farsi, Mohamed Amine Madani and Himad Abdelli are also sidelined. Paris FC’s Ilan Kais Kebbal has received a second call-up.
- The squad still includes key names such as Riyad Mahrez, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Amine Gouiri, Aïssa Mandi and Nabil Bentaleb.
- Botswana have called up newcomers Thapelo Mabedi and Shanganani Ngada. Mpho Kgaswane and Thabo Maponda return after long absences.
Possible line-ups:
Algeria: Guendouz — Hadjam, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri — Boudaoui, Benzia, Chaïbi — Mahrez, Gouiri, Amoura.
Botswana: Phoko — Velaphi, Kopelang, Gaolaolwe, Johnson — Mohutsiwa, Baruti — Setsile, Boy, Ditsele — Orebonye.
Predicted Score:
Algeria are favourites for this match. They lead Group G and have been strong in attack and defence. Riyad Mahrez and Amine Gouiri are likely to be key again. Botswana will defend deep and try to counter, but scoring goals has been their main problem. Algeria should control the game and take another step towards World Cup qualification.
Prediction: Algeria 2-0 Botswana.
