The Super Eagles of Nigeria got a warm welcome in constantine ahead of today’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Fennecs’ of Algeria scheduled to hold at the Mohamed-Hamlaoui Stadium from 8.30pm.
Twenty-two players made the trip after Turkey-based midfielder Mikel Agu became the latest injury problem to hit the team.
According to the official Twitter handle of the Super Eagles, the team was well received by the people of Algeria on arrival.
“We have arrived safely in Constantine, Algeria. The reception by the Algerian people was very warm and cordial #SoarSuperEagles,” @NGSuperEagles tweeted.
The German manager cannot count on the services of six key players who were involved against Zambia last month : Victor Moses, Elderson Echiejile, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Eddy Onazi and Mikel Agu.
Leon Balogun and John Ogu have been certified fit to play against the North Africans, having scaled through three training sessions unscathed.
Algeria is bottom of the group and are yet to win a match and will seek to record their first win in African qualifying Group B having lost four and drawn once in five games.
Meanwhile, Algerian fans have showered praise on the star players in the Nigerian squad.
The fans praised the trio of Captain Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses for their dogged commitment in securing the Russia 2018 ticket for Nigeria.
“Mikel, Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, your big players played every game with their heart in it, but our star players Islam Slimani, Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahaimi are not committed,” a fan who identified himself as Masoud told Owngoalnigeria.com.
Another who was listening to the conversation, also joined in the interview and his opinion was same as his friend Masoud regarding the star players of Algeria.
“Nigeria is going to the World Cup because Mikel, Moses, Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho sacrificed to help their country progress, we can’t say same here on Algeria, Mahrez, Slimani and the other big players prefer their clubs to the national team,” he said.
Another close follower of Algerian football Majid also echoed the praise of his fellow country men for the Nigerian stars and just like them, he also criticised players of his country for their poor showing.
” Our players are bigger than our coach, they play for themselves and not for the team unlike Nigeria. You see Moses tracking back to win balls, Mikel is here for a game that has no meaning, I’m not sure any Algerian player can do so. It’s a pity”.
