Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez expects a tough contest against Nigeria but remains confident his side will secure victory and advance from the tie, SportPremi reports.
The Desert Warriors will face the Super Eagles in the last eight of the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, after both sides progressed from their Round of 16 ties.
Both sides finished their group campaign with a 100% record, with Algeria overcoming Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in Group E, while Nigeria topped Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in Group C.
However, the Desert Warriors had a tougher encounter in their Round of 16 clash, overcoming World Cup hopefuls DR Congo after extra-time to book their quarterfinal berth.
A tense and evenly contested 90 minutes ended in a goalless draw and the match was heading towards penalty shootout until substitute Adil Boulbina scored with only a minute of action left to play to send his side into the last eight.
Nigeria, meanwhile, had a fairly easier route after recording an emphatic 4-0 win over Mozambique in their own Round of 16 encounter.
The Super Eagles’ attacking qualities were up for show in the clash as they became the first team to score four times in Morocco.
The quarterfinal clash will take place at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, with the winner set to face either Morocco or Cameroon in the last four of the competition.
Mahrez talks tough ahead of Nigeria clash
Riyad Mahrez netted the winning goal for Algeria in their last AFCON meeting with Nigeria at the 2019 African Cup of Nations as they claimed a 2-1 win in their last four encounter.
The winger netted a stoppage-time freekick in that encounter as his side progressed from the semifinal tie, before defeating Senegal in the final to win their second African title.
In Morocco, the 34-year-old has already scored three times to inspire the Desert Warriors to another quarterfinal appearance and is confident of victory against Nigeria.
“We haven’t conceded many opportunities, and we still know we have players who can make a difference”, Mahrez stated.
“Nigeria? We know them well; the game will not be easy. A free kick at the last minute again? We will see, anything is possible.”
On the win over DR Congo
“I think that on the whole game [against DR Congo], if the scales were to tilt on one side, it was ours”, Mahrez continued.
“We faced a good Congolese team, who played with cohesion and left little space, but we were solid.”
