Former Kwara United coach Samson Unuanel believes the midfield battle will determine the outcome between the Super Eagles and Algeria in Saturday’s quarter-final clash in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The encounter is a repeat of the round-of-16 tie at AFCON 2019, where Riyad Mahrez’s last-minute free-kick lifted the Foxes to a 2-1 victory that knocked the Eagles off their nest.
However, Unuanel, in a chat with Completesports.com, stated that both teams have quality players at their disposal and that a little magic from the midfield could make the difference.
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“I see a very tight game between the Super Eagles and Algeria on Saturday.
“Unlike the Nigerian squad that have netted 12 goals, with the on-form attacking players contributing nine, indicating a frontline performing at its peak. The Algerians have conceded only once in Morocco, with three clean sheets, compared to Nigeria with one clean sheet.
“So this is a game that may be determined by the midfield. It will be cagey, but I still believe the Super Eagles will come out victorious.
7 Comments
Same was said concerning Tunisia. That they haven’t conceded more than 1 goal since the world cup qualifiers.. But SE load them 3 goals within the first 30mins. Algeria’s story wont be different. I dont think Algeria have played against the quality of attacking force which Nigeria parades now for the last 20yrs. They wont understand how 4goals will enter their net.
Really I don’t think the Algerians can stand the super eagles. I watched their game against Burkina Faso. They were lucky in that match.
Mahrez is not that dangerous as he used to be.
I hope the super eagles players will bring in their A game
If you like let the battle be GK to GK, LB to LB, RB to RB, LW to LW or from Striker to Striker, what I’m certain abt is a win on Saturday for the SE.
I don’t see Algeria defeating the super eagles, the array of stars at the Nigeria’s disposal is unmatched
Thumbs up @Unuanel for this exclusive. Lolz
Odegbami pointed out that one of the key reasons SE has been scoring with ease is the quality of the pitch, which is very similar to what they’re used to in Europe and which Morocco has graciously provided.
Broos and SAFA knew this, which was why they took the team to a rugby pitch, told the players to be extra physical that day, and got Ola Aina in stitches for 3 months up to the point he missed Afcon.
Some sports commentators say we’ve been playing weaker teams. But the same Gabon that almost beat CIV was walloped 4-1 by SE. The same Mozambique that Cameroon struggled to beat 2-1 was roundly spanked 4-0 by SE.
The same Tunisia that Mali needed extra time to beat via penalty was dispatched like an ordinary team by SE.
It took the SE 10 minutes to lead the same now overrated DRC 1 – 0 (which Algeria huffed and puffed to beat), and could have been 2-0 if Ndidi and Chukwueze had not clattered into each other before we lost in the radar and rhythm in extra time.
Summary? We will beat Algeria tomorrow. After all, they’re another Maghrebian nation like Tunisia.
Hmmm all of a sudden we have started boasting. Please let us remain humble so that God will uplift us pass Algeria. Let’s not forget this team have to achieved anything until they get to the final.