Brahim Hemdani is considering a tactical change that could allow Algeria to field Bachir Belloumi and Anis Hadj Moussa together, but the plan could force Ibrahim Maza into a different role.

The Algeria manager is assessing his attacking options ahead of the November international gathering and the two-match encounter with Togo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

According to WinWin, Hemdani is keen to include both Belloumi and Hadj Moussa in the same lineup. The pair are both left-footed and prefer operating from the right wing, creating a selection dilemma after Riyad Mahrez’s international retirement.

Hadj Moussa initially appeared the obvious choice to take over on the right. However, Belloumi has challenged that assumption following an impressive first international gathering with Algeria.

The Hull City player caught the eye in matches against Zambia, Burundi and Niger. He started Hemdani’s first game in charge against Zambia, with Hadj Moussa coming on as a substitute before being forced off with an injury.

WinWin reports that Hemdani is considering moving Belloumi, the son of Lakhdar Belloumi, into an attacking midfield position. His technical ability means he could adapt to the role.

That would create a further question over Maza, who is regarded as one of the most promising players in the Algeria squad. It is currently considered unlikely that the Bayer Leverkusen player would be left out of the starting XI, but the occupation of his preferred position could result in him moving to the left.

Maza’s versatility is one of his main strengths. Although he is most naturally a number 10, the Berlin-born player can also operate as a central midfielder or on either wing.

He played as a left winger in the second match of the season in the Bundesliga, scoring his first goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 victory against Union Berlin.

That position could allow Maza to operate as an “advanced playmaker from the flank”, using his technical quality to help create opportunities from the left.

However, the proposal remains only an option under consideration. Both Hadj Moussa and Belloumi have also played on the left at times during their careers, meaning the roles are not entirely unfamiliar to them.

Hemdani must decide whether the reshape would strengthen Algeria without reducing the effectiveness of Maza in central areas. His ability to receive the ball between the lines and his vision are important qualities, and may be difficult to reproduce with a naturally wide player.

The manager’s challenge is to find a structure that allows all three players to contribute while preserving the strengths that have made them valuable options for the national team.