The Algerian media has reacted with excitement after Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) president, Nqobile Magwizi, announced that the senior men’s team will play international friendlies against the Dessert Foxes and Qatar as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Speaking from his base in Algiers, Walid Bouaouiche, a broadcast journalist at Radio Algéria International, revealed that the Warriors will provide the Desert Foxes and their coach, former Bosnia and Herzegovina international Vladimir Petkovic, with a proper test ahead of the Afcon 2025 and Fifa World Cup.
The match will take place during the November Fifawindow on dates yet to be announced.
“Facing the Zimbabwe team is a solid test for the Algerian team,” Bouaouiche said.
“The good part is that our coach, Vladimir Petkovic, will get an opportunity to analyse the cohesion and weaknesses of our team before a major tournament.”
He also highlighted the Warriors’ good record against Algeria, particularly at Afcon.
Zimbabwe beat the Desert Foxes 2-1 at the Tunisia 2004 Afcon, with the late Adam Ndlovu and current Simba Bhora coach, Joel Luphahla, on target for Sunday Chidzambwa’s team.
The Warriors also forced a gallant 2-2 draw against Algeria in 2017 at the Stade de Franceville in Gabon in a match they could have won.
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Cuthbert Malajila missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the second half as Zimbabwe threatened to cause an upset against their highly-fancied opponents.
Riyad Mahrez scored a brace for Algeria, while Kudakwashe Mahachi and a Nyasha Mushekwi penalty saw the Warriors take a 2-1 lead, before the former Manchester City winger equalised to save the Atlas Lions’ blushes.
“An opponent like Zimbabwe is good because they have given Algeria a hard time,” Bouaouiche said.
“The two have faced each other several times, especially at Afcon.
“So Petkovic is aware and counting heavily on this match to draw lessons before Afcon and the World Cup in 2026.
“I think it’s a good preparatory match for both teams.”
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Morocco between December 21, 2025 and January 18, 2026.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast are the reigning champions after a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory against Nigeria in February 2024.
Guinea were initially set to host the tournament, but the Confederation of African Football (Caf) stripped the West African nation of the rights in September 2022, stating the infrastructure and facilities were not ready.
Algeria are in Group E, together with Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan.
They face Sudan in their first match at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on December24.
The Desert Foxes boast established figures like Saudi Pro League star Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) and Nabil Bentaleb (Lille), as well as emerging talents such as Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg), Farès Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt), and Anis Hadj-Moussa (Feyenoord).
Other notable players include goalkeepers Alexis Guendouz (MC Algiers), Anthony Mandrea (Caen), and Luca Zidane (Granada)—son of France legend Zinedine—defenders Aïssa Mandi (Villarreal) and Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), and midfielders Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad) and Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice).
For Zimbabwe, Magwizi outlined that Algeria was a deliberate choice, as they are grouped with North African side Egypt, who play a similar style of football.
The Desert Foxes will provide the Warriors with a litmus test as they recently ended a 12-year wait for World Cup qualification. Algeria missed the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, last appearing in the final tournament at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
They finished their campaign with only one defeat, amassing a total of 25 points.
“Of course, Algeria’s choice was very deliberate, knowing that in Afcon we will be playing Egypt, and the style of play between Egypt and Algeria is almost the same,” he said.
Zifa will also host a 10-day training camp for the Warriors to help the technical team select players.
“We have also put in place a camp that will happen, a 10-day camp that will take place when we are preparing for the Afcon,” Magwizi said.
“We are also going to put in place even a local camp where the new technical team will have an opportunity to spend a lot more time with the players.”
Zimbabwe will have a new coach at the 2025 Afcon after Michael Nees was dismissed last week following a string of poor results.
Peter Ndlovu is heavily tipped to be part of the set-up, together with current assistant coach Kaitano Tembo.
The Warriors will also play southern African sides Angola and South Africa in Group B.
