The two former continental champions will lock horns in a friendly tie on Tuesday in the battle of the World Cup absentees
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to test their might against Algeria in an international friendly scheduled for the Olympic Stadium in Oran on September 27.
The two teams are building up towards qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after missing out on tickets to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Algeria and Nigeria reached the final knockout round for the Mundial before Cameroon pipped the Desert Foxes and Ghana edged the Super Eagles to the World Cup slots.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game, Algeria defeated Guinea 1-0 in Oran on Friday, while Nigeria managed a 2-2 draw with the home-based Algerian team in Constantine on the same day.
That win is the Foxes’ fourth on the trot, and they will be full of confidence in front of a partisan home crowd against a Nigerian side looking for their third win under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.
Head-to-head
There have been 21 meetings between Nigeria and Algeria, with either side winning nine apiece aside three draws.
The last draw, though, was in 1993 – nearly thirty years ago – and Nigeria have won six of the nine games since.
Algeria, however, have recent momentum on their side, claiming victories at the semifinal of the 2019 Afcon in Egypt and in a 2020 friendly in Austria.
Nigeria team news
Injuries to key players ensured Nigeria arrived in Algeria without the influential duo of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Real Sociedad’s Umar Sadiq.
Even in Constantine, the ill luck did not wane as Wilfred Ndidi and stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong were forced to leave camp due to injury.
But Jose Peseiro can still put up a respectably solid team blessed with the attacking talents of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Cyriel Dessers, and in-form Lorient star Terem Moffi.
Match details
Match: Algeria vs. Nigeria
Competition: International friendly
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Oran
Date: Tuesday, September 27
Kickoff time: 8 pm (Nigerian time)
Prediction
The Foxes are typically difficult to beat in front of their vociferous supporters.
Before their extra-time defeat to Cameroon in March, the Desert Foxes had not tasted defeat on home soil in four years.
Place that besides a Super Eagles without their best stars and with only one win in their last 16 friendly matches, and an Algerian win does not need a seer to forecast.
However, with Iwobi and Iheanacho involved, there is always a goal or two in the Nigerian team.
Betting tip: Algeria to win
Tip: Both teams to score
Correct score tip: Algeria 2-1 Nigeria
