The Desert Foxes of Algeria and the Super Eagles of Nigeria square up in an international friendly encounter later today.
We take a preview of the Nigeria vs Algeria international friendly match. We also inform you about all you need to know ahead of the clash in Oran.
Both countries failed to make it to FIFA World Cup after falling in the final hurdle of qualifiers earlier this year.
The Algerians will be looking to win their sixth straight game in all competitions against the West African later tonight. The match is scheduled to take place at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex, Oran, Algeria.
Barring any last minute changes, the fixture is expected to commence at exactly 8pm Nigeria time (WAT or GMT+1).
World Cup heartbreak for both teams
Algeria lost to Cameroon in their final qualifying round for the World Cup in March. The away-goal rule (yet to be abolished in CAF competitions) was their undoing. The Desert Foxes recorded a 2-2 aggregate result against Cameroon.
The North Africans had recorded a 1-0 away win on March 25. Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored in the return leg four days later to force extra time.
Reliable forward Karl Toko Ekambi netted in the 124th minute to cancel out Ahmed Touba’s 111th-minute strike to give the Cameroonians a very dramatic victory.
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Just like Algeria, Nigeria also failed to book a World Cup ticket. The Super Eagles drew 1-1 on aggregate against the Black Stars of Ghana in their final qualifying round.
The West Africans had played out a goalless draw in Ghana before playing a 1-1 draw in Nigeria. Ghana qualified on the away goal rule.
Preview
Interestingly, the Algerians have bounced back from the disappointment, winning each of their last six outings. They included successive wins over Uganda and Tanzania in Group F of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The 2019 AFCON winners top the group table with six points, four ahead of second-placed Niger Republic.
Nigeria have however recorded two wins from two games in Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. Jose Peseiro’s side beat Sierra Leone 2-1 on June 9 before walloping Sao Tome & Principe 10-0 four days later. It was Nigeria’s biggest ever win margin.
The Super Eagles have failed to win six of their last nine matches across all competitions. The side lost four and drew two games during this time.
Head-to-Head
Algeria have won each of the last three meetings between the two countries. Djamel Belmadi’s sid also scored six goals and conceded once since a 3-1 loss to Nigeria in November 2016.
Since 1973, Nigeria and Algeria have faced each other 21 times in international friendly matches and competitive games. The Super Eagles have won nine times, same as the Fennec Foxes while three of those games ended in draws.
Team News
Algeria will be without the services of defender Abdelkader Bedrane when the Algeria-Nigeria international friendly goes down today. The 30-year-old was forced off injured just six minutes into the game against Guinea last Saturday.
Aissa Mandi, Houcine Benayada, Mohamed Tougai and Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini are expected to start in defence for Algeria.
AC Milan’s Ismaël Bennacer and Nabil Bentaleb should start in midfield once again. Meanwhile, Ramiz Zerrouki, who plays for FC Twente, could come into the starting XI.
Up front, veteran striker Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez came off the bench against Guinea last week. They are both expected to start on Tuesday, alongside Lille’s Adam Ounas.
For Nigeria, a strong 25-man squad has been named for the international friendly against Algeria. Vice captain William Troost-Ekong pulled out through injury. There are the likes of Leon Balogun, Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma to call upon in defence.
Alex Iwobi’s scintillating form for Everton this season should secure him a starting spot. Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho and in-form Lorient striker Terem Moffi should also start for the 2013 AFCON Champions. Moffi has found the back of the net six times in eight outings for Lorient in the Ligue 1 this season.
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Hertha Berlin brilliant midfielder Chidera Ejuke is making a return to the squad. It’s a first time call-up for 21-year-old Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika.
Concerning injuries, the likes of captain Ahmed Musa, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi have all pulled out. They were part of the players initially invited by coach Peseiro.
Casa Pia forward Saviour Godwin, Rivers United left back Ebube Duru and Valentine Ozornwafor are some of the players that replaced the missing players.
Nigeria’s predicted starting lineup
Okoye; Aina, Balogun, Bassey, Sanusi; Iwobi, Onyeka, Iheanacho; Simon, Lookman, Moffi.
Algeria’s predicted starting lineup
Zeghba; Benayada, Bensebaini, Bedrane, Tougai; Zerrouki, Bentaleb, Bennacer; Mahrez, Slimani, Ounas.
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