Placed right down at 162nd on the FIFA rankings list, Niger are expected to be the whipping boys of group G and have never qualified for the African Cup of Nations finals.
Their best run in the continental competition came six years back (2004), when an undefeated run at home saw them earning nine points, yet still failing to qualify.
An extremely poor country of around 15 million people, the Niger Football Association has had its fair share of financial problems in the past, having caused them to withdraw from international competitions on occasion.
Being drawn in the same group as African powerhouses Egypt and South Africa, the odds appear stacked against the struggling west African country, who have no notable players to speak of – none of their players ply their trade in any of the world’s or indeed the continent’s top leagues.
epa07092476 Tunisian player Naim Sliti (L) and Niger player Amadou Djibox Mohamed (R) fight for the ball during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Tunisia and Niger at the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 13 October 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA This image is intended for Editorial use (e.g. news articles). Any commercial use (e.g. ad campaigns) requires additional clearance. Contact: photo@backpagemedia.co.za for more information
epa07092474 Tunisian player Ghaylan Chaalali (L) and Niger player Mohame el Fazaz Ali Mohamed (R) fight for the ball during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Tunisia and Niger at the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 13 October 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA This image is intended for Editorial use (e.g. news articles). Any commercial use (e.g. ad campaigns) requires additional clearance. Contact: photo@backpagemedia.co.za for more information
epa07092475 Tunisian player Moustapha Mohamed (L) and Niger player Fakhreddine Ben youssef (R) fight for the ball during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Tunisia and Niger at the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 13 October 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA This image is intended for Editorial use (e.g. news articles). Any commercial use (e.g. ad campaigns) requires additional clearance. Contact: photo@backpagemedia.co.za for more information
epa07092461 Tunisian player Moustapha Mohamed (R) and Niger player Fakhreddine Ben youssef (L) fight for the ball during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Tunisia and Niger at the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 13 October 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
epa07092468 Tunisian player Hamdi Naguez (R) and Niger player Amadou Djibox Mohamed (L) fight for the ball during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Tunisia and Niger at the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 13 October 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA This image is intended for Editorial use (e.g. news articles). Any commercial use (e.g. ad campaigns) requires additional clearance. Contact: photo@backpagemedia.co.za for more information
epa07092472 Tunisian player Seifeddie Khaoui (C) and Niger player Dramane Diarate Ousma (L) fight for the ball during 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Tunisia and Niger at the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 13 October 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA This image is intended for Editorial use (e.g. news articles). Any commercial use (e.g. ad campaigns) requires additional clearance. Contact: photo@backpagemedia.co.za for more information
Hainikoye Soumana Boubacar of Niger during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Victorien Adje Adebayor. Z of Niger challenged by Assane Mbodj of Senegal during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Soumana Amadou Moussa of Niger challenged by Daouda Gueye Dieme of Senegal during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Dia Ndiaye of Senegal challenged by Abdoulaye Katkore Boureima of Niger during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Dia Ndiaye of Senegal shields ball from Abdoulaye Katkore Boureima of Niger during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Elimane Oumar of Senegal challenged by Hainikoye Soumana Boubacar of Niger during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Abdoulaye Katkore Boureima of Niger challenged by Alhassane Ndao of Senegal during 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Niger at Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana on 15 September 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mohamed Ben Amor of Tunisia celebrates his goal with teammates during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ahmed Akaichi of Tunisia challenged by Katkore Boureima of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mohamed Ben Amor of Tunisia celebrates his goal with teammates during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Hichem Essifi of Tunisia challenged by Youssouf Alio Oumarou Balley of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Katkoré Boureima of Niger fouls Mohamed Ali Monser of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Hichem Essifi of Tunisia controls ball away from Katkoré Boureima of Niger during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ganiyu Elh Hutmanu of Niger battles with Mohamed Ali Monser of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Hichem Essifi of Tunisia challenged by Ganiyu Elh Hutmanu of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Youssouf Alio Oumarou Balley of Niger challenged by Marouane Tej of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mohamed Ali Monser of Tunisia challenged by Zakari Victorien Adjé Adebayor of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ahmed Akaichi of Tunisia battles with Souleymane Sakou Dela of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mohamed Ali Monser of Tunisia challenged by Youssouf Alio Oumarou Balley of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Zied Boughattas of Tunisia challenged by Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ahmed Akaichi of Tunisia scores goal despite lunge from Katkoré Boureima of Niger during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Imrana Seyni of Niger challenged by Hamza Mathlouthi of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger challenged by Zied Boughattas of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Imrana Seyni of Niger challenged by Yassine Meriah of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Youssouf Alio Oumarou Balley of Niger challenged by Zied Boughattas of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Zakari Victorien Adje Adebayor of Niger takes a shot art goal while challenged by Mohamed Ben Amor of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Hamza Mathlouthi of Tunisia wins header against Issa Moussa Mossi Chinois of Niger during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Ben Amor of Tunisia gets away from Issa Moussa Mossi Chinois of Niger during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Ali Monser of Tunisia fouled by Imrana Seyni of Niger during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Youssouf Alio Oumarou Balley of Niger fouls Abdelkader Oueslati of Tunisia during the 2016 CHAN football match between Niger and Tunisia at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 January 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Sory Bangoura of Guinea challenged by Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mohamed Youla of Guinea clears ball away from Imrana Seyni of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Sory Bangoura of Guinea challenged by Zakari Victorien Adje Adebayor of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Sory Bangoura of Guinea challenged by Zakari Victorien Adje Adebayor of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger challenged by Jean Mouste of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Issa Moussa Mossi Chinois of Niger takes on Thierno Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Sory Sankhon of Guinea turns away from Imrana Seyni of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger celebrates his goal during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Musa Shehu Maïkudi of Niger takes on Daouda Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger turns to celebrate after opening the scoring for his team during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Musa Shehu Maïkudi of Niger beats Alsény Camara of Guinea in the air during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Musa Shehu Maïkudi of Niger beats Alsény Camara of Guinea in the air during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger challenged by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger celebrates his goal during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger turns to celebrate after opening the scoring for his team during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Musa Shehu Maïkudi of Niger beats Alsény Camara of Guinea in the air during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger challenged by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Musa Shehu Maïkudi of Niger beats Alsény Camara of Guinea in the air during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali, Kigali on 22 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Moussa Alzouma of Niger challenged by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Sory Sankhon of Guinea challenged by Issa Moussa Mossi Chinois of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kofi Dankwa of Niger fouled by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kofi Dankwa of Niger challenged by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Daouda Camara of Guinea shields ball from Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Sory Sankhon of Guinea challenged by Imrana Seyni of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Moussa Alzouma of Niger challenged by Mohamed Youla of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Alsény Camara of Guinea challenged by Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Aboubacar Sylla of Guinea challenged by Souleymane Sakou Dela of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger fouled by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Moussa Alzouma of Niger clears ball from Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mossi Adamou Moussa Issa of Niger challenged by Alseny Camara of Guinea during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Aboubacar Sylla of Guinea challenged by Katkoré Boureima of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Niger and Guinea at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 22 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Chisom Chikatara of Nigeria challenged by Katkore Boureima of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Nigeria and Niger at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 18 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ismael Inoussa Ange of Niger clears the ball from Prince Aggreh of Nigeria during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Nigeria and Niger at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 18 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Chisom Chikatara
Chisom Chikatara of Nigeria challenged by Katkore Boureima and Souleymane Sakou Dela of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Nigeria and Niger at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 18 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Prince Aggreh of Nigeria takes on Katkoré Boureima of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Nigeria and Niger at Stade de Kigali Stadium, Kigali on 18 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Souley Salamoune Mahamadou of Niger and Osas Okoro of Nigeria battle for possession during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Nigeria and Niger at Stade de Kigali Stadium, Kigali on 18 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
CHAN Eagles forward Prince Aggreh of Nigeria against Niger
Prince Aggreh
Matthew Etim of Nigeria get past Musa Shehu of Niger during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Nigeria and Niger at Stade de Kigali Stadium, Kigali on 18 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Eagles striker Tunde Adeniji may start against Guinea today ahead of Chikatara
Koudizé Issiakou of Niger gets his pass away during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda game between Nigeria and Niger at Stade de Kigali Stadium, Kigali on 18 January 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Halidou Garba Idrissa of Niger battles with Jamiu Alimi of Nigeria during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Nigeria and Niger at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 18 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kano Pillars ace Jamiu Alimi (right) in action for Eagles. He is now likely to be overlooked for the Algeria World Cup qualifier next month
Koudizé Issiakou of Niger battles with Matthew Ifeanyi of Nigeria during the 2016 CHAN Rwanda, match between Nigeria and Niger at the Stade de Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda on 18 January 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Niger
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