Algeria were forced to scramble from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Burundi in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 29.

The Desert Warriors trailed 2-0 after just 12 minutes in Bujumbura against a side ranked 116 places below them. Goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Adil Boulbina spared their blushes and kept their unbeaten qualifying record intact.

It was a far from convincing display under new coach Brahim Hemdani, and the result will raise questions about Algeria’s readiness for the continental finals.

Elsewhere on a busy qualifying day, Egypt thrashed South Sudan 5-0 without the rested Mohamed Salah, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice.

Morocco beat Lesotho 2-0 to stay top of Group A, while Senegal’s 1-0 win in Ethiopia gave new coach Patrick Vieira his first victory in charge. The draw keeps Algeria unbeaten but will do little to silence critics of the new coach. With the AFCON finals co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda approaching, Hemdani has limited time to turn unconvincing performances into a coherent campaign.