Algeria name solid squad for Nigeria

Algeria has called up 18 players for the Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium on November 12. Headlining the squad that is made up of 17 foreign based players is Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and his fellow team-mate Islam Slimani.

Nabil Bentaleb of Schalke 04 in Germany is also included while centre back Hicham Belkaroui makes a return to the team.

West Ham’s Sofiane Feghouli, Yacine Brahimi, Ryad Boudebouz and Mehdi Abeid are among the midfielders called up for the game.

Adam Ounas, the much-coveted youngster has finally switched allegiance from France to Algeria and has been handed his maiden call-up.

Antalyaspor Rais M’Bolhi is the only goalkeeper called up for the game.

Nigeria top Group B of the Africa zone of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers with three points after defeating Zambia 2-1 in Ndola last month. Algeria shared the spoils with Cameroon 1-1 in her first group game and are joint second with the Indomitable Lions.

Invited players:

Goalkeepers : Rais M’Bolhi (Antalyaspor, Turkey).

Defenders :Carl Medjani (CD Leganés, Spain), Liassine Cadamuro (Servette Geneva, Switzerland), Hicham Belkaroui (ES Tunis), Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, Spain), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli, Italy).

Midfielders:Yacine Brahimi (FC Porto Portugal), Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham United, England), Nabil Betaleb (Schalke 04, Germany), Rachid Ghezzal (Olympique Lyon, France), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon FCO, France), Adlène Guedioura (Watford FC, England), Sapphire Taïder (Bologna FC, Italy), Ryad Boudebouz (Montpellier Hérault, France), Adam Ounas (Bordeaux, France).

Attackers: Hilal Soudani El Arabi (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Islam Slimani (Leicester City, England).