Boastful Algeria team arrives, vows to cage Nigeria

Members of the Algerian delegation for Saturday’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles are expected in Lagos today en route Uyo, venue of the encounter.

The Algerians converged on the National Technical Centre Sidi Moussa on Sunday to start preparation for the encounter under the supervision of their new coach, George Leekens.

The Algerians, who have been training twice daily, are expected to have their morning session today before boarding a chartered flight to Nigeria.

Reports by the Algerian press say Coach Leekens has been hit by a rash of withdrawals by some of the invited players suffering different shades of injury.

The already withdrawn players are Tahart, Ghezzal and Hilal Soudani, who suffered an ankle injury while playing for Dinamo Zagreb against NK Split and had to be substituted.

Ghezzal and Boudebouz were examined by Algeria team doctors before they were excused from the training camp, while Dynamo Zagreb striker Soudani did not even fly down to Algiers, but his medical record was checked by the national team medical staff.