Equatorial Guinea and Algeria will play each other on Thursday at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium with the goal of winning to begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns.

There has only been one previous meeting between the two teams, which took place at the 2021 AFCON, with Equatorial Guinea winning 1-0.

Algeria swiftly bounced back from their 2-1 loss to Guinea in their opening competitive game under Vladimir Petkovic, defeating Uganda 2-1 in the Fennec Foxes’ 2026 World Cup qualifying encounter.

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Goals from Houssem Aouar and Said Benrahma sealed the victory.

After winning their second AFCON championship in 2019, the Northern Africans are currently attempting to qualify for a seventh straight edition in an attempt to win their third championship.

In their most recent international games, Equatorial Guinea also had mixed results.

They first lost 1-0 at home to Malawi before winning 1-0 at home against Tunisia.

It took an 82nd-minute goal from Iban Salvador to separate the two teams in the 2026 World Cup qualifying match, but the victory over Malawi was earned with some effort.

After losing in the round of 16 of the 2023 AFCON, the Nzalang Nacional hopes to advance for a third straight and fifth overall.

For Juan Micha’s team, it is imperative that they begin the qualifying campaign with a win, but they will have to overcome a five-game losing streak on the road that consists of three losses and two draws.

Algeria Starting XI

Mandrea, Aouar, Bounedjah, Bensebaini, Mandi, Tougal, Hadjam, Bennacer, Mahrez, Zerrouki, Benrahma

Equatorial Guinea Starting XI

Owono, Ganet, Senra, Buyla, Obiang, Coco, Orozco, Nlavo, Salvador, Ndong