Seeking their first win of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, Niger play host to Algeria in the second of their Group F double-header on Monday.
The Desert Warriors journey to the Stade Olympique de Rades on a run of three wins from their opening three qualifying games and will look to continue in the same vein.
Match preview
© Reuters
Niger failed to get their quest for a place in Ivory Coast up and running as they fell to a 2-1 loss against Algeria when the sides squared off at the Stade Nelson Mandela last Thursday.
The Menas had themselves to blame as they squandered their first-half lead, with Abdel Rahim Alhassane scoring a 54th-minute own goal before Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez completed the comeback with two minutes left to play.
The West Africans have now lost their last three matches across all competitions, including a painful 1-0 loss to Madagascar in the third-placed playoff of the 2022 Africa Nations Championship for home-based players earlier this year.
Having kicked off their AFCON qualifying campaign with successive draws against Tanzania and Uganda, Niger have just two points from a possible nine and sit third in Group F, just one point above the bottom of the pile.
© Reuters
With Thursday's result at the Stade Nelson Mandela, on the other hand, Algeria have now won each of their last eight clashes across all competitions against Jean-Michel Cavalli's men.
The Desert Warriors' last and only defeat in this fixture came in May 1981, when Abdou Maikano Seydou grabbed a dramatic 89th-minute winner to hand the Menas a narrow win at Niamey's Stade National.
Algeria are one of just four nations who have now won their opening three matches of the AFCON qualifiers, scoring six goals and keeping two clean sheets to hold a healthy five-point lead at the top of Group F.
Djamel Belmadi's men head into Monday on a run of eight wins in their last nine competitive matches since June 2022, with their penalty-shootout defeat against Senegal in February's CHAN final being the exception.
Algeria will be looking to maintain their 100% record in the qualifying campaign as they eye a fifth AFCON appearance on the bounce since missing out on the continental showpiece in 2012.
Team News
© Reuters
Niger will take to the pitch without the services of forward Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim, who was forced off injured inside the opening half hour last Thursday.
In his absence, Berkane attacker Victorien Adebayor will push for his third start of the qualifiers, teaming up with Sosah and Boubacar Abdoul Magid in the final third.
At the opposite end of the pitch, skipper and experienced centre-back Ousmane Diabate should marshall the defence line once again, with Abdoul Moumouni and Amadou Wonkoye teaming up in midfield.
With his winner at the Stade Nelson Mandela, Mahrez is now closing in on 30 international goals and the Manchester City man will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Nantes' Andy Delort failed to make his mark in the aforementioned game and could cede his position to veteran attacker Baghdad Bounedjah, who will be pushing for his first start of the campaign.
Niger possible starting lineup:
Djibo; Yakubu, Doudou, Diabate, Katkore, Alhassane; Wonkoye, Moumouni, Magid, Adebayor; Sosah
Algeria possible starting lineup:
Mandrea; Mandi, Touba Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Leris, Boudaoui, Bennacer, Belaili; Mahrez, Bounedjah
We say: Niger 0-2 Algeria
While Niger now have the home advantage, they are still no match for the very experienced and star-studded Algeria side, who have been imperious in the history of this fixture. Given the gulf in class and quality between the two nations, we fancy Belmadi's men coming out on top once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
