Nabil Bentaleb has called on Algeria supporters to fill the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium and help the national team secure victory against Togo in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The midfielder, who plays for French club Lille, delivered the message ahead of Saturday’s Group 9 meeting in Tizi Ouzou, where Algeria will look to strengthen their position at the top of the group.
The two sides will meet again next Tuesday in Lomé, the Togolese capital, for the fourth round of qualifying.
Speaking to the Algerian Football Federation’s official website, Bentaleb encouraged supporters to maintain their strong backing of the team and promised that the players would do their best to reward them.
“We hope that you will come in large numbers to continue supporting us, and God willing, we will make you happy.”
The midfielder’s appeal comes as the Desert Warriors prepare for an important double-header against Togo, with the results set to influence their position in the race to qualify for the tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in 2027.
Bentaleb also expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, saying the players had worked hard ahead of the first encounter and were now focused on translating that effort into a positive result on the pitch.
“We worked hard to prepare properly for the match against Togo, and now all that remains is to put this work into practice on Saturday on the field, where we will try to achieve victory.”
The Lille midfielder also addressed the arrival of several new faces in the current national team camp. He indicated that the newcomers had settled into the group without major difficulties, suggesting that the early stages of the preparations had gone smoothly.
“The beginning of this camp was with the participation of a good number of new players, and things went well for them.”
Algeria will be aiming to make home advantage count when they welcome Togo to the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium. The match will be the ninth meeting between the two national teams, who have faced each other eight times previously.
The historical record favours Algeria, who have claimed five victories from those encounters. Togo have won twice, while the remaining match ended in a draw.
That record offers the Desert Warriors an encouraging backdrop as they prepare for Saturday’s contest, although Bentaleb’s message has focused on the importance of the supporters’ contribution.
With another meeting against Togo scheduled for the following Tuesday, Algeria will be looking to begin the two-match series with a victory in front of their home fans before travelling to Lomé for the return fixture.
For Bentaleb, the immediate priority is clear: the team must turn its preparations into a strong performance, while the supporters are being asked to provide the backing needed to help the players achieve their target.
