Ziani is considered a national hero by many Algerians as it was his cross that led to the goal that put Algeria into their first World Cup since 1986 at the expense of bitter rivals Egypt.

Playing for the youth team there garnered a significant amount of keen admirers interested in him, including the likes of Lens and Nantes.

In 2001, having spent three seasons playing with the youth team and because of the level of interest, the president of Troyes offered Ziani a five-year deal, which in turn was his first professional contract.

With Ziani agreeing to a five-year deal, he was immediately promoted to the senior squad by Alain Perrin at the age of 17 and was assigned the number 17 shirt.

After making a few substitute appearances, he made his first start on 3 March 2002 in a 1–0 loss to Lille, playing the entire match, adding up to a total of eight in the 2001–02 season.

In the summer of 2006, Ziani signed a three-year deal with FC Sochaux and reunited with his first coach at Troyes Alain Perrin.

[7] During December 2010 and January 2011, a number of clubs showed interest in signing Ziani, these were Newcastle United, AS Monaco, FC Lorient, VfB Stuttgart,[8] Everton, and Birmingham City.

[9] On 14 January 2011, it was reported that Ziani had moved to Turkish high-flyers Kayserispor on an initial six-month loan deal, with an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

[15] Ziani made his debut for the Algerian national team in 2003 when he was called up by Belgian caretaker Georges Leekens for a friendly against Belgium.

He then added two more goals to his tally in a 3–0 win against Liberia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as Algeria advanced to the final tournament in South Africa.