Prediction: Algeria to win 3-0
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Algeria and Niger will lock horns with each other in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group F this week. The match between The Greens and the Ménas will be held at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki and is scheduled to kick off at 9pm UK time on Thursday.
Algeria
Algeria are one of the biggest footballing nations in Africa and are well known all over the world. They reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA World Cup and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990 and 2019. Algeria also reached the final of the 2022 African Nations Championship.
Djamel Belmadi’s side have some of the best African players in the world at the moment. Algeria have the likes of AC Milan midfielder Ismaël Bennacer, Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and defender Rayan Aït-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Algeria are at the top of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group F table at the moment. They have picked up six points from two matches, four points clear of second-placed Niger. Algeria kicked off their qualifying campaign on the back of a 2-0 victory over Uganda at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers before getting the better of Tanzania 2-0 away from home at the Tanzania National Main Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Team News:
Islam Slimani is the main striker for Algeria, and he will continue to lead the line for the home team. Ait-Nouri could make his debut for the home team.
Niger
Niger are not one of the powerhouses of Africa and are minnows. The Ménas played in the group stages of the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and have not qualified for the premier Africa competition since then. Niger, though, did finish fourth in the 2022 African Nations Championship.
Jean-Michel Cavalli’s side do not have a lot of well-known players. One prominent figure in the current Niger teams is 20-year-old defensive midfielder Abdoul Moumouni, who turns out for FC Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova. Midfielder Ali Mohamed, 27, turns out for Israel giants Maccabi Haifa.
Niger are second in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group F at the moment. They have picked up two points from their two matches so far. Niger kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw with Tanzania at Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou before playing out a 1-1 draw with Uganda away from home at St. Mary s Stadium-Kitende in Entebbe.
Team News:
Victorien Adebayor will be the key player for Niger and will start the match for the visiting team. Kassaly Daouda is not available for Niger at the moment, so it will be either Mahamdou Tanja or Oumarou Soumaila between the sticks.
Key Factors to Consider
Algeria have won both of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group F games.
Algeria have won 5 of their last 6 competitive games.
Niger have lost their last 2 competitive matches.
Nigeria have won 2 and drawn 2 of their last 6 competitive matches.
Algeria have lost 1 of their last 6 competitive matches.
Conclusion
While Niger have done in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group F so far, Algeria are a far superior team and are also at home. It is hard to see anything other than a win for Algeria, who should pick up all three points from the match with ease.
Prediction: Algeria to win 3-0
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