Taribo West has urged the Super Eagles to stop Manchester City winger, Riyad Mahrez, when they meet Algeria’s Desert Foxes in an international friendly in Austria on October 9, and hopes Gernot Rohr’s team win.
The two countries will meet once more following Algeria’s 2-1 triumph over Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt with Mahrez netting the winner.
Ahead of the international friendly match between both nations, former Super Eagles central defender, Taribo during an interview session with Le Buteur urged Gernot Rohr’s team Nigeria to stop stop Algeria and their star man, Mahrez.
“He is a great player, he is in good form and I hope that against Nigeria, we will see him even more efficient to enjoy his technique,” Taribo told Le Buteur in a recent interview.
“I consider him one of the best players in the world, that’s why I’m very happy with the organization of this match. Algeria is a great football nation with enormous potential.
Also Read – Ex-Genk Star Sonck: Onuachu Is A Complete Striker
“Yes, of course, I would say it is a very good thing to organize this friendly match. Both teams had a great African Cup and now, it is time to review things in each squad.
“The two teams need to rebuild after having already met in the semi-finals, it is important to see each other in a friendly match. They are very close and have great players.”
Taribo added: “This will allow Nigeria to try to take revenge on Algeria, but the most important thing is to know how to learn from a meeting like this. We will see, it will be a friendly match.
“But Algeria-Nigeria has been and will remain an important meeting for the two teams.”
The Super Eagles will also face Tunisia in another friendly four days after meeting Algeria on Oct. 13.
5 Comments
The sweetest vengeance would be to defeat them in a world cup qualifier or the Afcon next year,that would be a sweet revenge.
Pastor Taribo West has urged the Super Eagles to exert their revenge on Algeria in the friendly match coming up this month following our slim semi-final loss to the Dessert Warriors in last year’s Afcon.
However, he was quick to remind everyone that this is a friendly match and thus should be viewed as such.
If the last 2 friendly matches of the Super Eagles are anything to go by, the intensity to which this match will be played will make it seem almost like a competitive fixture.
The match against Ukraine was enthralling whilst the one against Brazil was absorbingly entertaining. So, I expect fireworks against Algeria.
Pastor West touched on something that struck a chord with me, though.
“But the most important thing is to know how to learn from a meeting like this,” said the former AC and Inter Milan center defensive Linchpin.
What have learnt from Rohr’s matches post 2019 Afcon. What will we learn from this eagerly anticipating friendly against Algeria?
Will the Super Eagles continue to toss victory overboard after seemingly cruising to a win (as we saw against Ukraine and Brazil)?
Are we going to see strength in depth in our goalkeeping department?
Have we learnt how to cage big name players having been knocked out by magical acts from Messi and Mahrez in recent times?
Will recent invitees be able to replicate club form in national team colours?
And, will the Super Eagles’ whole be greater than the sum of its constituent parts (after all, there is no point having a collection of players who cannot function as a well oiled, well drilled cohesive unit)?
Thankfully, due to the fierce nature of recent encounters between both sides, coupled with the fact that the Algerians are also a side on the ascendancy, this promises to be a smashing encounter.
However, like Pastor Taribo West said, it is just a Friendly!
There’s no avenging any defeat here because nothing is at stake. Both teams are just coming together to play each other so they can try new players and gel. So no avenging any defeat. If anything the super eagles players should try to avoid losing so as to continue improving their fifa ratings but that isnts the ultimate goal which I believe is to get these players to play as a team with understanding and good attacking intent and flair. And to see if some players can cut it in the team. And to get some good back up players for the team as well.
Please someone close to nff president should help tell him that rohr was a defender and as such he should need someone like Amunike who was more of a striker and more experienced than their Yobo who is was also a defender in his active days and less experienced. Let us just imagine what rohr and Amunike will bring to the table.
“Friendly” matches these days is mere euphemism. There is a lot at stake even if a cup is not handed to a team at the final whistle. These matches do contribute to FIFA ranking, hence indirectly determine whether you escape or are forced to embrace a fierce opponent during a competitive series. I do hope Oga Rohr drums this into the heads of his warriors.