Togo Vs Algeria

Algeria, one of the powerhouses of African football, will aim to maintain their flawless run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers when they face Togo in Lome on Monday evening. The Desert Warriors have been dominant in Group E and sit comfortably at the top of the table, holding a five-point lead over their nearest rivals, Equatorial Guinea. In contrast, Togo finds themselves in a precarious position, currently in third place and fighting to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Match Overview and Context

Algeria’s qualification campaign has been a bright spot for the nation's football scene, particularly following their disappointing performances at the 2023 AFCON in the Ivory Coast, where they failed to win a single match for the second consecutive tournament. Despite these setbacks at the continental level, Algeria’s results in other competitions have been impressive, underlining their continued strength on the global stage.

In the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, Algeria has asserted its dominance by winning three of their first four matches, and in the AFCON qualifiers, they have been even more clinical. With a perfect record so far, a win in Lome would secure their place in the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco in 2025.

The Desert Warriors come into this match on the back of a resounding 5-1 victory over Togo last week, a game in which they displayed their attacking prowess by scoring four goals in a stunning second-half performance. That result extended Algeria’s winning streak to four matches in all competitions, and their ten goals scored over the last three AFCON qualifiers is the highest tally among all 48 participating nations.

Their recent head-to-head record against Togo has also been overwhelmingly in Algeria’s favor. Last week’s rout marked their third consecutive victory over the Sparrowhawks, and they remain unbeaten in their last four meetings. With this dominant record, Algeria is widely expected to seal their qualification in Lome and continue their remarkable run in the competition.

Algeria’s Form: Bouncing Back from AFCON Disappointments

Despite their struggles at recent AFCON tournaments, Algeria’s form in qualification campaigns has been consistently excellent. Under the leadership of coach Djamel Belmadi, the Desert Warriors have re-established themselves as one of the most formidable teams in Africa. Belmadi’s tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players has been on full display throughout the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

The Algerian squad is stacked with talent, and one player who has emerged as a key figure is Houssem Aouar. Since switching his international allegiance from France to Algeria, Aouar has become an integral part of the team’s midfield, adding creativity and control in the center of the park. His performances have been instrumental in Algeria’s success, and his ability to dictate the tempo of games has allowed the Desert Warriors to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.

In addition to Aouar, Algeria’s forward line has been firing on all cylinders. Baghdad Bounedjah, the team’s star striker, has been in lethal form, leading the team’s scoring charts with his clinical finishing. The pace and flair of wingers like Riyad Mahrez and Said Benrahma have also been crucial in breaking down opposition defenses. Their ability to stretch the field and create space for the attackers has given Algeria a potent offensive edge.

Defensively, Algeria has been rock solid, conceding only two goals in their last four matches across all competitions. Goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi has provided experience and stability between the posts, while the defensive pairing of Aissa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini has been tough to break down. The balance between their attacking flair and defensive solidity has made Algeria one of the most complete teams in African football.

Togo’s Struggles and Qualification Hopes

While Algeria has been flying high in the AFCON qualifiers, Togo’s campaign has been far more turbulent. The Sparrowhawks are now in a desperate situation as they cling to slim hopes of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON. Sitting third in Group E with just two points from four matches, Togo faces an uphill battle to overtake Equatorial Guinea, who currently occupy the second qualification spot.

The hosts’ only points in the current campaign came from a 1-1 draw with Liberia in their opening match, followed by a 2-2 draw with Equatorial Guinea on matchday two. Their inability to secure a win in any of their qualifiers has left them in a vulnerable position, and their 5-1 thrashing by Algeria last week further dented their chances of qualification.

Togo’s recent form across all competitions has been dismal. The Sparrowhawks are winless in their last six matches, a run that dates back to earlier in 2024. This poor form has continued under the leadership of new head coach Dare Nibombe, who has struggled to turn things around since taking over from Jonas Komla ahead of the last international break. Nibombe’s tenure has yet to yield a victory, and the pressure is mounting on him and his squad as they approach what could be a make-or-break match against Algeria.

Despite their struggles, Togo can take some solace in their strong home record. The Sparrowhawks are unbeaten in their last 13 matches on home soil, a run that includes draws against high-quality opponents like Senegal and Burkina Faso. In that time, they have also secured victories over teams like Lesotho and Cape Verde. This resilience at home gives Togo a glimmer of hope as they prepare to host Algeria, but they will need to produce their best performance of the campaign if they are to pull off an upset.

Key Players to Watch

For Algeria, Houssem Aouar will once again be a player to watch. His ability to control the midfield and link play between defense and attack has been pivotal in Algeria’s recent success. Aouar’s vision, passing range, and composure on the ball make him a constant threat to opposition defenses, and his presence in the center of the pitch allows Algeria to dominate possession.

Another key player for the Desert Warriors is Riyad Mahrez. The Manchester City winger has been a standout performer for Algeria over the years, and his creativity and goal-scoring ability will be crucial in unlocking Togo’s defense. Mahrez’s ability to deliver precise crosses and set-pieces also makes him a danger on dead-ball situations, and his leadership on the field provides invaluable experience to the team.

On the Togo side, much of their attacking hopes will rest on the shoulders of Kodjo Laba. The forward has been Togo’s main goal-scoring threat in recent years, and he will need to be at his best if Togo are to have any chance of getting a result against Algeria. Laba’s physicality and ability to hold up the ball can help relieve pressure on the defense, but he will need more support from his teammates if Togo are to break down Algeria’s formidable backline.

Another player to keep an eye on is Ihlas Bebou, who has the pace and dribbling ability to trouble Algeria’s defense. Bebou’s direct running and ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations could create opportunities for Togo, but he will need to be clinical in front of goal to make the most of any chances that come his way.

Tactics and Strategies

Algeria is expected to stick to the same tactical approach that has served them well throughout the qualifiers. Under Belmadi, the Desert Warriors have employed a 4-3-3 formation, with a focus on controlling the midfield and exploiting the flanks. The team’s quick transitions from defense to attack have been a hallmark of their play, and their ability to switch from patient buildup to direct attacks has kept opponents off balance.

In this match, Algeria is likely to dominate possession, with Aouar and Mahrez pulling the strings in midfield. The wide play of Mahrez and Benrahma will be key to stretching Togo’s defense, while Bounedjah will look to capitalize on any chances that come his way inside the box.

For Togo, the game plan will likely revolve around defending deep and trying to hit Algeria on the counterattack. Nibombe may opt for a more compact formation, such as a 4-4-2 or 5-4-1, to limit the space Algeria’s attackers have to operate in. The pace of Bebou and the strength of Laba will be crucial on the break, as Togo looks to exploit any gaps in Algeria’s defense.

Conclusion

With Algeria in scintillating form and Togo struggling to find their feet, the Desert Warriors will enter this match as heavy favorites to secure a win and confirm their qualification for AFCON 2025. Togo, on the other hand, will be fighting to keep their slim qualification hopes alive. A defeat for the Sparrowhawks, combined with a win for Equatorial Guinea over Liberia, would all but end Togo’s AFCON dreams. However, with their strong home record, Togo will hope that they can pull off a shock result and keep their campaign alive.

As the two sides prepare to face off in Lome, all eyes will be on whether Algeria can continue their dominant run and maintain their perfect record, or if Togo can produce a spirited performance to keep their qualification hopes alive.