Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani is considering a tactical reshuffle to accommodate Bachir Belloumi and Anis Hadj Moussa in the same team, a move that could see Bayer Leverkusen forward Ibrahim Maza used in a new position.
Hemdani is reviewing his attacking options ahead of Algeria’s November camp and their two-match meeting with Togo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. According to WinWin, the manager would like to field both Belloumi and Hadj Moussa, despite the two left-footed players preferring to operate from the right wing.
Hadj Moussa had appeared the natural choice to take over on the right following Riyad Mahrez’s international retirement. However, Belloumi’s emergence has complicated that succession.
The Hull City player made a strong impression during his first Algeria camp, featuring against Zambia, Burundi and Niger. He started Hemdani’s first match in charge against Zambia, with Hadj Moussa coming on before being forced off with an injury.
WinWin reports that one option being considered is to move Belloumi into the number 10 role. His technical ability is understood to make him capable of operating as a playmaker rather than remaining on the wing.
That would create a further selection question over Maza, who is regarded as one of Algeria’s leading young talents and is not currently expected to be left out of the starting line-up.
With his preferred position potentially occupied by Belloumi, Maza could instead be moved to the left flank. Versatility is one of the key strengths of the Berlin-born player, who is a natural number 10 but can also play as a central midfielder or on either wing.
Maza has already demonstrated his ability to contribute from the left. He played there in Bayer Leverkusen’s second Bundesliga match of the season and scored his first goal in a 4-0 victory over Union Berlin.
The position could allow Maza to operate as an inverted or wide playmaker, using his technical quality to help create opportunities from the wing while moving into central areas.
However, the idea remains only under consideration at this stage. Both Hadj Moussa and Belloumi have occasionally played on the left since the beginning of their careers, meaning the proposed reshuffle could require further adjustments.
Hemdani must decide whether the arrangement would genuinely strengthen Algeria without reducing the impact Maza has in central areas. His ability to find space between the lines and his vision are important qualities which would be difficult to replicate with a player who is primarily a winger.
The challenge for the manager is to find a system that allows all three players to contribute while preserving the qualities that have made Maza effective in an attacking central role.
