By Augustine Akhilomen
Ex international, Jonathan Akpoborie has said that the much publicised 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Fennecs has been overblown beyond proportion and won’t determined the group irrespective of the result.
Nigeria are top of group B with three points after beating Zambia 2-1 in Ndola, while Algeria managed a 1-1 draw against Cameroon in Algiers to remain one point apiece.
The three-time African Champions will play host to an Algerian side that recently appointed Georges Leekens as their manager, in a bid to revive their World Cup dreams after sacking Milovan Rajevac from the position.
The much anticipated match which has been touted to determine the fate of both teams considering the fact that a win for Nigeria could all but end Algeria’s World Cup ambitions, however, Akpoborie who was part of the Nigeria team that won the first edition of the FIFA U-16 Championship in1985, scoring in the final against the then West Germany, told Soccernet.com.ng that Super Eagles clash against The Fennecs won’t determine the group.
“There have been so much noise about Nigeria’s next game against Algeria in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, that a win for us could spell the end of the North African team in the group,” Akpoborie told Soccernet.com.ng.
“The truth as far as I am concerned is that both teams still have all to play for regardless of the result at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium because Cameroon remain another threat in the group. Zambia could also play the role of a spoiler if they realise they have nothing to play for any longer,” he said.
