Algeria’s Burundi trip presents a fresh test for Hemdani and the Fennecs

Algeria will be strong favourites when they visit Burundi in Bujumbura on Tuesday, but Brahim Hemdani’s first away match in charge comes with several obstacles that could make the second game of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign more difficult than it appears on paper.

The Fennecs began with an encouraging 3-1 victory over Zambia, albeit with some aspects of their performance still requiring improvement. Burundi, meanwhile, lost 1-0 away to Togo in the opening round of matches. Algeria also have the stronger continental pedigree, but three particular factors could narrow the gap between the sides.

Intwari’s unfamiliar surface

The first challenge is the pitch. Bujumbura’s Intwari Stadium has been completely renovated and now features an artificial surface installed as part of the FIFA Forward programme.

That surface is more familiar to the Burundi players and could affect movement, the speed of the ball and the weight of passes. Algeria’s players are accustomed to natural grass with both their clubs and the national team, leaving them only Monday’s pre-match session to adapt properly to the conditions.

The timing of the match will provide another test. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 local time, or 14:00 in Algeria, with temperatures in Bujumbura potentially reaching 27 to 29 degrees at this time of year.

Heat and humidity will make energy management important for Hemdani’s side. An overly fast start could become costly after the interval, particularly against a home team more used to playing in those conditions.

Limited preparation time

The third issue is the demanding turnaround. Algeria played Zambia in Tizi-Ouzou on Friday evening before leaving the country on Sunday on a special flight. They reached Bujumbura in the early evening, six and a half hours later.

Following a short recovery session at their hotel, the squad has only Monday to prepare fully in Burundi before returning to action on Tuesday afternoon.

Hemdani must also cope with a reduced squad. Amine Gouiri was released from the camp after suffering an injury against Zambia, while Rayan Ait-Nouri will also miss the trip after being left out of the group.

These complications do not make victory impossible. Algeria still possess enough quality to overcome a Burundi team beaten on matchday one. Their players will also remember negotiating an even more demanding away match in Botswana two years ago, during Ramadan, with Amoura’s team-mates eventually securing success.

After a positive start at home, Hemdani will now encounter a familiar feature of African football: a long journey, minimal preparation on location and unusual playing conditions. The result will offer an early indication of how well his team can adapt away from its usual surroundings.