Belmadi rallies Algerian stars to go for qualification against Niger

Algerian national team head coach Djamel Belmadi has made a rallying call to his players to bring their A-game when they face Niger in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and seal their slot early enough.

The Fennec Foxes will face Niger in a back-to-back fixture starting in Algeria on Thursday 23rd and then four days later in Tunisia where the homeless West Africans host their games.

They lead Group F with six points from two games ahead of Niger who have collected only two points. East African neighbours Uganda and Tanzania have a point each.

“We have two important matches against Niger which we can win and, mathematically, seal our qualification,” Belmadi, the 2019 CAF Coach of The Year reminded his team.

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“We need to win the two games [so that we can be] able to qualify and then move to other things.”

Wary of threat

Niger, who have only made it to the AFCON twice in 2012 and 2013, come into the game as underdogs but Belmadi warns that they will not be pushovers.

“Niger is seen as a weak team which is wrong. It’s a different team altogether, and they’ve players featuring abroad [in big leagues],” he warned.

2023 Africa Cup of Nations – Group F

Thursday 23rd March

Algeria vs Niger - Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers

Friday 24th March

Uganda vs Tanzania – Suez Canal Stadium, Egypt

Monday 27th March

Niger vs Algeria - Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, Tunis

Tuesday 28th March

Tanzania vs Uganda – Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar Es Salaam