Who will win friendly between Algeria and Nigeria? NFSC boss makes bold prediction

National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has predicted that that Super Eagles will beat the Fennec Foxes of Algeria when the two countries face off in an international friendly on Tuesday evening. 

Including the 2018 World Cup qualifying match at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui, Constantine in October 2017, which was forfeited in Algeria's favour due to manager Gernot Rohr fielding an ineligible player, the Super Eagles have lost three games on the bounce against the North African powerhouse.

Nigeria are missing key players ahead of the friendly, with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Semi Ajayi, Leon Balogun, Oghenekaro Etebo, Sadiq Umar and Emmanuel Dennis not  named in the final 24-man squad due to fitness issues and there was more bad news when the team arrived in Algeria as English-based duo William Troost-Ekong and Wilfred Ndidi were forced to withdraw from the roster owing to injuries. 

On the other hand, Algeria manager Djamel Belmadi has hinted at fielding his strongest possible starting lineup in Tuesday's meeting at Stade Olympique d'Oran (Bir El Djir).

Asked what he thinks of the friendly and to predict the score, Ikpea said to Africa Foot United : "This match is very interesting. A friendly game for two African teams that failed to qualify for the World Cup. It will help them prepare for the next Africa Cup of Nations and allow them to test new players.

“Well, I see the Super Eagles getting a win in this match even though nothing is at stake. So for the score it will end 2-1 in favour of Nigeria.”

The Super Eagles have played four matches with their new Portuguese football tactician Jose Peseiro in the dugout and the results were a mixed bag, having won two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and São Tomé e Príncipe while they were beaten by Mexico and Ecuador in friendly matches. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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