Algeria
coach, Georges Leekens has insisted that the Desert Foxes were still in
the race for the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket despite falling 1-3 to
the Super Eagles in Uyo on Saturday.
Speaking after the match
which was witnessed by capacity crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,
Leekens said, “we still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the
World Cup because we are playing very well,” adding that he was very
encouraged by the character his team exhibited throughout the match.
“I
understand Cameroon and Zambia played out a draw and I am not sure your
team (the Eagles) have qualified. If we can win the remaining four
matches, we can just pick the ticket, notwithstanding the outcome of
today’s match.”
The tactician said the Eagles got a good match
from his wards, blaming his players for the many chances they missed.
“You give away many chances like that, you get punished. We pushed hard
in the second half only to concede that last goal. It is not over yet,”
he declared, adding “we do not give up like that. I am very proud of my
team.”