Algeria’s ‘danger men’ Eagles should be wary of
As the date draws closer for the 2018 World Cup qualifying game between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes of Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio international stadium, here are some players from the North African country that carry the most threat.
Islam Slimani - English champions Leicester City paid a club record $30 million for the former FC Porto striker but before then Slimani was already a household name across Europe and the rest of the world considering his goal scoring feats with the Portuguese giants.
Fast, Skillful and with an eye for goal, Eagles backline will need to be at their best if they are to deny Slimani any ‘sniff’. Has currently scored 4 goals since his big money move with three of the goals coming from his head which proves genuine aerial strength
Another thing about Slimani is that he’s a big match player who lives up to the occasion when required to, scoring double digits against top four opposition during his stint in Portugal.
Riyad Mahrez - for followers of the English Premier League, not much has to be said about the country’s player of the year for 2015/2016. Mahrez not only ended up as top scorer in the English top flight but helped his club Leicester to a historic first EPL crown.
Even though, the player can be said to be a less effective campaign this time around (compared to last season’s exploits) he has enough in tank to cause Eagles defence big problems in Uyo.
Pacy, skillful and a calm finisher, the backline of William Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun etal need to be at their best on the day or else the ex-Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG target might see them ruing what would have been.
Yacine Brahimi - Came to the limelight in the UEFA Champions League of 2014/2015 when he finished as one of the top scorers, netting some delightful goals on the way. Also proved himself on the world stage during the 2014 FIFA World Cup when the Algerians reached the knock out stage for the first in the history of the Mundial, almost knocking out eventual winners Germany along the way.
Has a never give up attitude and considered to be one of the most tireless players on manager Georges Leekens team. Not having so much of an effective campaign with Porto this year but like the aforementioned players, if allowed to lit up on the day might cause enough problems for the Nigerians.
Adlène Guedioura - Watford FC of England have been one of the most improved teams in the last two seasons of the English Premier League thanks to the efforts of players like Guedioura.
Players like Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney were hitting the headlines due to goals scored but Guedioura just like the Claude Makaleles and the Ngolo Kantes go about doing their jobs quietly.
Apart from impressing with Watford, he has also been one of the mainstays of the Algerian team in the last couple of years where his maturity and ability to bring balance to the midfield is highly respected by past managers of the team.
If allowed to perform to his best in Uyo, he has what it takes to not only stop the distribution of play of Gernot Rohr’s men but also has vision to throw in one or two ‘killer’ passes that could be destructive for Nigeria.