By Onyekachi Chimezie
Before the match between Algeria and Nigeria, Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is optimistic that his team has what it takes to defeat Algeria, reports OwoSports.com.ng.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in front of home fans inside the Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran on Tuesday night.
Speaking on NFF TV ahead of the encounter, the Portuguese coach expressed his team’s readiness after the side held their last training session at the main pitch of Stade Olympique d’Oran on Monday night.
“We trained well, we have been trying to introduce some new dynamics, some new methods that will be good for our team. The players have adapted well. The players have adapted well both on and off the pitch,”Peseiro told NFF TV.
The 62-year-old manager who will be facing Algeria main team for the first time after replacing Gernot Rohr as Super Eagles head coach late last year praised Algeria while saying that the Foxes have the quality to match them.
“We are going to play against a good team, it won’t be easy but we have quality. We will fight hard to beat them.”
“We believe in the players that are here, we believe in their abilities. They know what to do and we believe in them,” he added.
Some of Peseiro’s key players won’t be available.
Assistant captain, William Troost-Ekong, left Algeria for England last Saturday after suffering an injury during the test match.
Wilfred Ndidi was only in camp for two days before leaving for his club due to a hamstring problem.
Players like the team’s captain Ahmed Musa, Leon Balogun, Samuel Chukwueze, and Emmanuel Dennis weren’t called up because of injuries.
However, the former Venezuelan and Saudi Arabian tactician argued that his team can function without them.
“I have confidence in them that they will do well. We have enough quality in our team to cope with the absence of those who are not here.”
Nigeria will lock horns with Algeria’s main team in the second of their friendly game in Algeria after playing a stalemate draw against the Algeria B team in Constantine on Friday with the match kicking off at 8 pm Nigeria time on Tuesday night.
