The Big Match: Nigeria Vs Algeria see lineup and Head 2 Head

Nigeria and Algeria have a footballing rivalry stretching a long time that might arguably be just bettered by the Cameroon and Ghana ‘tug-of-war’ over the years.

Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo will pitch two of Africa’s football giants against each other in what potential could be the divide between who makes it to Russia 2018 or not.

Algeria dropped points at home to Cameroon while Nigeria nicked three off Zambia in Ndola to top Group B going into Match Day Two.

A win for Nigeria will see the Super Eagles move a step closer to the dream of a third straight World Cup with Algeria needing a miracle of sorts depending on what happens between Cameroon and Zambia in Limbe.

Encounters between both sides have always been entertaining and unpredictable since the first time they met in 1973 at the All Africa Games in Lagos. That duel ended 2-2 but there have been 16 matches between both sides since then.It is pertinent to note that both teams qualified for the World Cup for the first time at the expense of each other.

Algeria qualified for her first ever World Cup appearance at Spain ‘82 by beating Nigeria in the final rounds while Nigeria returned the favour in 1993 on that cold windy night in Constantine to pick a ticket for USA ‘94.

Ironically, Nigeria defeated Algeria 3-0 to win her first ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 on home soil. Ten years later, it was pay-back time as Algeria defeated Nigeria 1-0 to win her first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1990...wait for it...on home soil too.

In total, 17 matches have been played between the two teams over the years with Nigeria slighting edging out Algeria on number of wins. The Eagles have won eight games, drawn three and lost six of those.

Head to Head:

Nigeria v Algeria

10 Jan 1973: Nigeria 2 Algeria 2 (All Africa Games, Lagos)

22 Mar 1980: Nigeria 3 Algeria 0 (Africa Cup of Nations, Lagos)

10 Oct 1981: Nigeria 0 Algeria 2 (World Cup Qualifier, Lagos)

30 Oct 1981: Algeria 2 Nigeria 1 (World Cup Qualifier Constantine)

10 Mar 1982: Algeria 2 Nigeria 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, Benghazi)

11 Mar 1984: Algeria 0 Nigeria 0 (Africa Cup of Nations, Bouake)

15 Jan 1988: Algeria 1 Nigeria 0 (Olympics Qualifier, Annaba)

30 Jan 1988: Nigeria 2 Algeria 0 (Olympics Qualifier, Enugu)

23 Mar 1988: Algeria 1 Nigeria 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, Rabat: Nigeria won 9-8 penalties)

2 Mar 1990: Algeria 5 Nigeria 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, Algiers)

16 Mar 1990: Algeria 1 Nigeria 0 (Africa Cup of Nations, Algiers)

13 July 1993: Nigeria 4 Algeria 1 (World Cup Qualifier, Lagos)

8 Oct 1993: Algeria 1 Nigeria 1 (World Cup Qualifier, Algiers)

21 Jan 2002: Algeria 0 Nigeria 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, Bamako)

3 July 2004: Nigeria 1 Algeria 0 (World Cup Qualifier, Abuja)

4 Sept 2005: Algeria 2 Nigeria 5 (World Cup Qualifier, Oran)

30 Jan 2010: Algeria 0 Nigeria 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, Benguela)

Present Tense

Group B has three of Africa’s five representatives at the last World Cup in Brazil. Unfortunately, only one of the two will be at Russia 2018 so also Cameroon who were also in Brazil. Nigeria and Algeria made the second round of the tournament while Cameroon exited after the group stage.

Unfortunately only one of the three will make it to Russia 2018 if Zambia doesn’t upset the apple-cart and nick the sole ticket ahead of her more illustrious Group B rivals.

Group B as it stands

P W D L GF GA GD PTS POS

1.Nigeria 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 1

2.Cameroon 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 2

3.Algeria 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 2

4.Zambia 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 4

Team news.

Algeria will be without at least five key players who were called up initially by George Leekens due to injury.

The latest to pull out of the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria is Napoli’s left back Faouzi Ghoulam who had to withdraw from the squad to Uyo because of a thigh complaint but Leekens is looking to run the rule over the defender and he might face a late fitness test.

Adam Ounas, who was supposed to get his first cap against Nigeria also pulled out due to injury while the midfield duo of Rachid Ghezzal and Ryad Boudebouz, as well as striker Hilal Soudani, are also out of the game.

The Super Eagles will be missing first choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who sustained an injury during a league game for his English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Players to watch

Nigeria and Algeria have some of the continent’s best players and quite a few will be on show on match day. Riyad Mahrez is Algeria’s main man and the conductor of Leekens orchestra. The Leicester City man usually plays from the right side of Algeria’s attack which allows him room to cut back on his favourite left foot to unleash havoc.