Algeria 2-1 Nigeria, Atal offers victory

For their second and last friendly match of the international break in September, the Greens faced Nigeria at the Miloud Hadefi stadium in Oran.

Oran – Miloud Hadefi Stadium
36,000 spectators – Medium pitch
Friendly
Algeria 2-1 Guinea
Mahrez (P, 41′), Atal (60′) – Moffi (9′)
Zerrouki (77′) – Onyeka (40′), Bassey (90’+2′), Uzoho (90’+2′)

Algérie (4-3-3) : 1-Zeghba – 1-Bensebaini, 2-Mandi, 5-Touba, 20-Atal – 6-Zerrouki, 19-Zorgane (8-Bentaleb, 46′), 22-Bennacer – 10 -Belaili (11-Ounas, 67′), 13-Slimani (9-Deort, 76′), 7-Mahrez (18-Amoura, 84′) / Entr. : Belmadi

Nigeria : 23-Uzoho – 2-Aina – 21-Bassey – 13-Akpoguma – 3-Sanusi – 4-Onyeka – 18-Iwobi – 7-Lookman – 11-Moffi – 15-Simon (C) – 14-Iheanacho. / Entry : Peseiro

At the time of the kick-off between Fennecs and Super Eagles, expectations were varied. Algeria, which has just won its duel against Guinea (1-0), is looking for certainties, a lasting basis, a reference match on which it could capitalize and set out again to conquer the heights.

If the National Team was on a series of four victories in a row, it had, with the notable exception of the friendly duel against Iran, not convinced in the game. Against Guinea, the 11 had the object of strong rotation and, against Nigeria, the choices of Djamel Belmadi were awaited with excitement.

A half-fig half-grape match

Invincibility preserved. In a stadium that was sold out, Algeria won against Nigeria for its second outing at the Miloud Hadefi stadium.

The first period of the Greens leaves something to be desired, between defensive errors, an uninspired midfielder, the lack of collective attacking play and sterile possession. At the start of the match, there were plenty of opportunities for Ismaël Bennacer’s partners who wanted to hit hard from the start. But it was finally the Nigerians who opened the scoring first thanks to Moffi, taking advantage of a defensive flaw from Aïssa Mandi (9′).

???????????????? Two Nigerian strikes countered by Mandi. Moffi takes advantage of a false rebound to push the ball to the bottom. #ALGNGA #TeamDZ

— DZfoot (@DZfoot) September 27, 2022

The Algerians, stopped in their tracks by this goal, manage to come back to score in the 41st minute, thanks to Riyad Mahrez. The captain of the Greens managed to convert a penalty caused by Youcef Belaili and set the record straight.

The second act of Djamel Belmadi’s men was much better and saw the Fennecs lead. On returning from the locker room, the national coach released a shy Zorgane for Nabil Bentaleb. This choice is bearing fruit, since the Algerians find a little creativity in their production, but also rhythm and vivacity with the incorporation of Ounas in place of Belaili. At the hour mark and after a few unsuccessful chances, Youcef Atal, with a superb strike, gives the advantage to his team and thus offers victory to Algeria