CAN 2027 Qualifiers: Algeria Recover from 2-0 Burundi Scare

Algeria rescued a 2-2 draw against Burundi in Bujumbura after conceding twice inside the opening 12 minutes. The Fennecs looked set for a damaging defeat before Mohamed Belloumi reduced the deficit in the 30th minute and Adil Boulbina completed the comeback with a fine free-kick in the 63rd minute. The result ended Algeria’s winning start to the CAN 2027 qualifiers after Friday’s 3-1 victory over Zambia, although it still left them at the top of the group while Zambia and Togo awaited their meeting.

Burundi began with greater urgency and punished Algeria’s uncertain opening. The first goal arrived in the fifth minute, before Jean Girumugisha took advantage of an error in Ramy Bensebaini’s attempted clearance to race through and score the second in the 12th minute. The Hirondelles repeatedly found space during that spell, using quick transitions to expose an Algerian defence that struggled to establish control despite having most of the ball.

The early pressure also produced several further chances for Burundi. Mossi Nduwumwe escaped down the right and lifted a shot just over from a tight angle, while Kanakimana reached the final six-yard area after a strong run but could not generate enough power with his backheel attempt. Eldhino later saw a first-time effort deflected over, and a dangerous delivery across the face of goal caused further concern for the visitors. Burundi’s attacking threat was not limited to its goals, with the home side looking particularly dangerous whenever Algeria lost possession.

Algeria’s response began when Burundi failed to clear a loose ball in the 30th minute. Belloumi collected the opportunity near the penalty spot and struck a low, angled finish into the net. The goal gave the Fennecs a route back into the match, but it did not immediately change the pattern. Burundi remained organised and continued to threaten on the counter, while Algeria’s first-half performance remained below the level expected after the win over Zambia.

The visitors also lost Abdelli to injury shortly before half-time. The Marseille midfielder struggled to leave the field after a tackle and was replaced by Zorgane. Algeria therefore had to reshape its midfield while still trying to overturn a two-goal deficit. The Fennecs restarted the second half with possession, but they initially found it difficult to turn that control into clear chances.

Boulbina eventually levelled the match with a moment of individual quality. Awarded a free-kick near the left side of the area, the Algeria attacker sent a powerful curling strike into the top corner from the edge of the box. His goal made it 2-2 in the 63rd minute and erased Burundi’s early advantage, but Algeria could not complete the turnaround. The match became quieter after the equaliser, with the visitors struggling to create sustained danger despite their territorial dominance.

The match figures underlined that contrast. At one stage, Algeria held 70 per cent possession but trailed Burundi 8-4 on shots, with the home side also ahead on expected goals by 0.69 to 0.15. Earlier in the game, the Fennecs had reached 77 per cent possession without registering a shot on target. Those numbers reflected an Algeria side able to circulate the ball but vulnerable when Burundi attacked directly and unable to consistently turn long spells of possession into decisive actions.

Burundi still had opportunities to reclaim the lead late on. Amissi was denied at close range by a last-ditch defensive intervention before nobody arrived to meet the rebound. Ndayishimiye, the Nice defender, headed over from a corner despite being in a strong position, while Nahimana tipped a floating header over the crossbar. Algeria also went close through a second-post half-volley and a late attacking move involving Maza and Kebbal, but neither side found a third goal.

The draw gives Algeria two points less than a perfect return from its opening matches and leaves the group’s leading position subject to the Zambia-Togo result. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the CAN 2027 finals, making every dropped point relevant even at this early stage. For Algeria, the comeback showed resilience, but the two-goal collapse and the imbalance between possession and chances exposed areas that must improve before the next qualifying assignment. Burundi, meanwhile, earned a result after turning a fast start into sustained pressure and came close to winning the match despite surrendering its advantage.