The likes of Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amoura were in rampant form during Algeria’s latest CAF 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying assignment, after The Desert Warriors bagged a mammoth 5-1 win against Mozambique at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium on Tuesday.
Following a period of relentless pressure during the opening exchanges of the match, Algeria took the lead moments after the seventh minute mark. In trying to play out from the back, Mozambique paid for sloppy defending as Mohamed Amoura intercepted a poor pass on the edge of the box before slotting the ball home with ease.
The Desert Warriors doubled their advantage midway through the first-half after making the most of a corner situation. While the ball was cleared toward the edge of the area, Hernâni Siluane parried a shot straight into the path of Aissa Mandi, who found the back of the net with a header from close range.
Amoura added Algeria’s third at the half-hour mark following an incisive move that caught the Mozambique backline off guard. With Riyad Mahrez evading the offside trap and his opposite number, the Algeria talisman picked out Amoura with a slick through ball inside the 18-yard-area before he scored his second goal of the night.
Not sitting back, Mozambique drew one back in the 39th minute as Geny Catamo let off a venomous shot on the edge of the danger zone that left goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz soundly beaten.
Os Mambas looked lively at the restart, which was a stark contrast to the opening minutes of the encounter. While they endured a couple of nervy moments, Mozambique actively searched for their second goal of the night.
Nonetheless, Algeria scored their fourth goal of the match in the 65th minute as Jaouen Hadjam joined in on the fun. This time around, Amoura went from scorer to provider after picking out Hadjam at the far post, who eventually directed the ball goal bound with a well-taken header.
Then, as one of the star performers during Algeria’s latest qualifying matches, Amoura completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute. After making way into the Mozambique penalty area, the diminutive attacker unleashed a shot that weaved through a crowd of playersand into the back of the net.
Algeria: (3) 5 (Amoura 7’, 30’, 79’ Mandi 24’, Hadjam 65’)
SuperSport United: (1) 1 (Catamo 39’ )
Algeria: Guendouz, Hadjam (Atal 81’), Ait-Nouri, Mandi, Bensebaini, Boudaoui, Kendouci, Chaibi (Chiakha 84’), Mahrez (Belaili 73’), Gouiri (Benrahma 73’), Amoura (Maza 84’)
Mozambique: Hernani Siluane, Langa, Mandava, Chamboco, Nanani, Amade (Shaquille 82’), Guima, Witi (Vilanculos 46’), Pepo (Nene 46’), Catamo, Ratifo (Bauque 73’)