Belmadi will respect Super Eagles

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Sep 24, 2022. 16:00

Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi intends to field a more established starting line-up against Nigeria at the Olympic Stadium in Oran on Tuesday.

The Fennec Foxes beat Guinea 1-0 in a friendly at the same venue on Friday, with Islam Slimani stepping off the bench to score the winner 11 minutes from time.

Belmadi gave a number of newer players a run-out against the National Elephants as the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Youcef Belaili and Aissa Mandi were only named amongst the substitutes.

However, the 46-year-old tactician suggested in his post-match press conference that the more experienced players in his squad will start against Jose Peseiro’s side – opponents he isn’t planning to underestimate.

“Nigeria is another game. We will try to get the whole group to play. The next game there will be more connection in our game because there will be players who are used to being there,” Belmadi said.

“You need automatisms to have a smoother game. Opposite, we have a good opposition. It’s not a small team.”

The North Africans are unbeaten in their last three encounters with the Super Eagles, including back-to-back wins most recently.