Preview: Algeria face Super Eagles of Nigeria in Semifinal showdown

by
Kelvin Trudeau Musako
July 13, 2019

Algeria and Nigeria will be going toe to toe in an epic semifinal showdown for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final when the two giants meet at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening.

Nigeria defeated South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals with goals from Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong on either side of Bongani Zungu’s header.

Algeria’s Desert Foxes overcame the Elephants of Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties to set up a mouthwatering showdown with Nigeria.

Head to Head

The two sides have met on 19 occasions with Nigeria winning 9 while Djamel Belmadi’s men have won 7 with 3 matches draw.

Key Players

Gernot Rohr will be hoping his super eagles team will be on song against a strong Algerian defense that has only conceded one goal.
Samuel Chukwueze who scored in the 2-1 quarter-final win over South Africa, is tipped to start ahead of Moses Simon in the line-up.

Youcef Atal is doubtful after being forced off in the quarter-final against Ivory Coast with a shoulder injury, with Mehdi Zeffane likely to take his place at right back.

Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Sofiane Feghouli and Youcef Belaili will be the key players in attack for the Foxes.

It is hard to see them giving anything away in the early stages against Gernot Rohr’s team, which has scored just two first-half goals in five matches so far this campaign.