Tag: World Cup Qualifier

Algeria and Nigeria will clash at the Mohamed-Hamlaoui Stadium on Friday in a World Cup qualifier match that appears to be insignificant, but upon closer look, a lot would just be at stake for both the players and the two nations involved. Though Algeria have no hope of qualifying for the World Cup even if they thrash the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but they really need to play for pride. The last time Algeria beat Nigeria was on the 16th of March 1990 (27 years ago), during the final of the Africa Cup of Nations which they hosted and eventually won after beating Nigeria twice in that tournament during the group stage (5-1) and in the final (1-0). Since then both teams have met seven times with Nigeria winning six and just one ending in a draw. Winning at this point is very crucial to the Desert Warriors of Algeria. On the other hand, Nigeria who have already qualified and boast of an unbeaten record in this qualifier will be looking up to keep their clean-sheet, and further stamp authority over the North African side. However, Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr may be tempted to give some members of his second team an opportunity to prove themselves in the match. But if that experiment backfires and Nigeria loses, it will directly affect the newly injected players who may now be seen as materials that are not fit for the World Cup. Hence, pressure will be on the newly introduced players to showcase themselves and prove to Nigerians and the technical crew that they are capable of winning a match and probably been given a first team shirt.