Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani said he preferred to “see the glass half full” after his side fought back to draw 1-1 with Burundi in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
The Fennecs made a poor start in Bujumbura, conceding twice inside the opening 12 minutes. Fares Chaibi scored an own goal in the fifth minute before Burundi doubled their advantage seven minutes later.
Bachir Belloumi pulled one back for Algeria in the 30th minute, and Adil Boulbina completed the comeback in the 63rd minute.
The result leaves Algeria top of Group I with four points. They had opened their campaign with a home victory over Zambia four days earlier and will next face Niger in a friendly on 6 October in Tizi Ouzou.
Speaking to the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) after the match, Hemdani regretted the way his team began but praised the players for responding after falling two goals behind.
The coach also identified shortcomings in Algeria’s attacking play. He said his side had lacked solutions in possession, failed to make enough use of the width and had not been clinical enough in the final third.
The match was played in difficult conditions, with Algeria having made a long journey to East Africa. The state of the pitch and the heat in Bujumbura were also factors Hemdani’s team had to contend with.
However, those circumstances did not fully satisfy supporters, given the gap between the two teams in the world rankings. Burundi are ranked 141st, while Algeria are provisionally 31st a difference of 110 places.
Despite conceding early and being unable to secure a second successive qualifying victory, Algeria remain in control of Group I after two matches.