Anis Hadj Moussa uncertain for the match against Burundi: the medical diagnosis will be released on Tuesday morning.

Hadj Moussa, a key scorer against Zambia in Tizi-Ouzou

His potential absence could have serious consequences. On Friday night at the Hocine Aït-Ahmed Stadium, the 24-year-old winger came on to secure the first victory for the Greens against Zambia. His goal, the third of the evening, ended all uncertainty (3-1).

With 19 caps and 3 goals to his name, the Toulon native has firmly established himself in the plans of the new coach. His bursts of speed and deceptive dribbles, capable of changing the course of a match with a single run, make him irreplaceable on the right flank.

The context adds a personal dimension to the stakes. Since Riyad Mahrez's retirement, the right wing has become a battleground where Mohamed-Bachir Belloumi and Ilan Kebbal are fiercely competing. Any absence can prove costly in this quest for a starting position.

A series of absences complicates Brahim Hemdani's task

The coach is already facing a depleted squad. Injured after just 18 minutes against the Zambians, Amine Gouiri has been released from the squad following his medical examinations. The Olympique de Marseille forward is suffering from a muscle injury.

Discipline has also played a role: Rayan Aït-Nouri has been sent home, sanctioned by the staff for his behavior. A third player has been missing since the start: Nabil Bentaleb, whose withdrawal led to the call-up of Adil Bourabaa at the beginning of the Sidi Moussa training camp.

As a result, only 24 players made the trip to East Africa. This leaves a narrow margin for action for a match scheduled in the afternoon heat, on a synthetic pitch that most internationals are no longer accustomed to.

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Burundi in trouble, Algeria seeking a second victory

For their part, the Swallows have everything to lose. Defeated in their opener in Lomé by Togo (1-0), they sit in 142nd place in the FIFA rankings and can no longer afford any mistakes in front of their home crowd. This urgency could lead to an aggressive opponent from the very first minutes.

The Greens, on the other hand, want to confirm their good form. Leading Group I after a controlled first match against Zambia, they could take a serious option on one of the two qualifying spots with another victory. Two spots will be allocated in this group, which also includes Togo.

If Hadj Moussa ultimately does not play, Amin Chiakha and Belloumi would be given an unexpected opportunity to make their mark in an extremely competitive right flank. This could turn a last-minute absence into a springboard — and remind Hemdani that, in this area, competition will not give him any respite.

ALSO READ: Hemdani starts successfully: Algeria 3-1 Zambia