Algeria U23 Assistant Coach Says Nigeria's Game Is "final before the final”

Algeria U23 assistant coach, Abdelhafid Tasfaout, has declared war on Nigeria's national U23 team ahead of their last Group B

clash at the ongoing African cup of Nations for 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

The former Algerian international described the match as“a final before the final”, as both teams needed to avoid defeat to progress to the semis of the African championship.

Algeria are top of the standings with four points from two matches because of a superior goals’ difference over Nigeria.

A draw this evening in Dakar will see them most likely win the group to face South Africa in the semi-final of the tournament, which doubles as qualifier for next year’s Rio Olympics.

“This game is like a final before the final,” declared Tasfaout.

“We have the confidence and the quality to get a result and finish top of our group and we hope to make the most of our chances while making sure we do not let in goals against Nigeria.”

Algeria U23 Swiss coach Pierre-Andre Schurmann said they will focus only on their own performance.

His team though have a couple of injury concerns going into the match in Dakar, which begins 6pm Nigerian time.

Striker Zakarya Haddaouche is ill possibly due to the weather in Senegal, while midfielder Abdelraouf Benguit has a slight knock which prevented him from training.

Incidentally, both teams clashed in another final group game at the inaugural U23 AFCON in Morocco four years ago with Nigeria winning 4-1. Africanfootball