WCQ: Algeria to land in Nigeria Thursday

The Algeria team to face Nigeria in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier will fly straight to Uyo on Thursday.

A source in Algiers informed Vanguard that the Algeria contingent will fly to the Akwa Ibom State capital on a chartered plane, two days before the key qualifier.

“The team will leave Algeria at 9 GMT (10am Nigerian time) on Thursday and arrive in Nigeria in the evening,” the source said. “They’re planning to take a direct flight to Uyo.”

The match is billed for this weekend at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, with the Super Eagles seeking to extend their lead at the top of African qualifying Group B.

Nigeria defeated Zambia in Ndola in October to go top of the group, as Cameroon drew in Algeria.

Both teams have named strong squads for the fixture, Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr recalling Chelsea’s Victor Moses and Watford’s Odion Ighalo while retaining Mikel Obi and exciting young pair, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, who both scored against Zambia.

Algeria’s new head coach Georges Leekens has included Leicester duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani in a squad of mostly Europe-based players.