Algeria’s 2-2 draw with Burundi in the CAN 2027 qualifiers on Tuesday highlighted a major weakness in Brahim Hemdani’s side: the absence of a specialist defensive midfielder.
Algeria were 2-0 down after only 12 minutes before Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Adil Boulbina rescued a point. However, the result in Bujumbura also exposed a lack of balance throughout the team, with Burundi repeatedly finding space through the centre of the pitch.
The problem was particularly evident in Algeria’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Himad Abdelli and Fares Chaibi were positioned in front of the defence, a technically gifted pairing that offered control and creativity but lacked the qualities of a dedicated ball-winner.
Abdelli is more naturally suited to playing as a deep-lying playmaker who can move the ball forward, while Chaibi is inclined to push on and create. Neither is a specialist sentinelle accustomed to shielding the defence, winning duels and stopping opponents from breaking through midfield.
As a result, Burundi frequently bypassed Algeria’s first line of pressure with too little resistance. Individual mistakes by Chaibi and Ramy Bensebaini contributed directly to the two goals, but those errors came within a broader structural problem.
Abdelli’s injury-enforced departure brought Adem Zorgane into the game and gave Algeria greater control, as well as a better direction to its passing. Zorgane, however, is also more of an organiser than a pure defensive midfielder.
The issue predates Hemdani’s tenure. Since Adlene Guedioura retired, Algeria have not found a player capable of combining strength, physical impact and positional discipline in front of the back four.
Hemdani’s options were further reduced by the absences of Nabil Bentaleb and Hicham Boudaoui. Even with both available, though, the position remains unresolved. Ismael Bennacer needs to regain continuity, while Ramiz Zerrouki has not established himself consistently as the undisputed answer in the role.
That presents a dilemma for a coach who has sought to refresh the midfield with more creative players. Abdelli, Aouchiche and Bourabaa can operate between the lines and contribute going forward, but the match against Burundi demonstrated that technical quality alone cannot provide balance when nobody is specifically responsible for defensive work.
Abdelouahab Satta has some of the qualities Algeria require, and Hemdani has known the promising midfielder since the Mediterranean Games. The MC Alger player still lacks experience at the highest level, however, making him more a possible solution for the future than an immediate remedy.
In the short term, Hemdani must either identify the right player from his squad or adjust his tactical system. A three-man midfield could distribute responsibilities more effectively and prevent two creative players from being left to protect the entire team.
The draw in Bujumbura may prove one of the early defining lessons of Hemdani’s tenure: Algeria have talented midfielders, but they still lack the player willing and able to perform the defensive work others do not.
