The much anticipated friendly between Algeria and Nigeria did not disappoint as the sides produced some fine football in Oran.
Algeria nicked it 2-1 on Tuesday night, courtesy goals from Riyad Mahrez’s penalty in the 41st minute to cancel out Terem Moffi’s opening goal in the 9th minute and Youcef Atal’s 61st minute winner.
It was a bright start from the Super Eagles as Jose Peseiro charged the boys to press high, block passing lanes and pass from the back.
The initial pressure paid off as Nigerian took the lead in the 9th minute courtesy Moffi’s strike as he pounced on a loose ball on the back of a blocked shot.
It was also a different Center half pairing for the Eagles as injury to William Troost-Ekong meant that Calvin Bassey played alongside Kevin Akpoguma as CBs, while Francis Uzoho started in goal ahead of Maduka Okoye.
Despite Nigeria getting the lead, early Algeria looked very much in control as they were comfortable in possession.
The hosts pressed for an equalizer and leveled before the break after a reckless tackle by Frank Onyeka on Mahrez was given as a penalty by the Referee.
Riyad Mahrez himself stepped up to take the kick and the attacker coolly converted for the equaliser in the 41st minute.
The second half continued in a similar pattern to how the first half ended and sixteen minutes after the restart Youcef Atal was found in the centre of the box by Ramiz Zerrouki and the Algerians converted to turn the game around.
With this victory, Algeria has extended their unbeaten run against Nigeria to 4 games, as the last time the Super Eagles won against Algeria was in November 2016.
