Algeria ‘ll play for honour against Nigeria ―Madjer

Algeria will play for honour when they host Nigeria in a 2018 World Cup qualifier next month, according to new coach Rabah Madjer.

Nigeria have already bagged the sole ticket to the Russia World Cup in the African qualifying Group B, but African football legend Madjer, who was announced as Algeria’s new coach ahead of the inconsequential match, said his boys would play for honour.

The Desert Warriors host the Super Eagles on November 10 and in that match, Madjer said “that the new national technical staff will address [it] with the aim of defending the honor of Algeria.”

From 1973 till date, both countries have met on 18 occasions with Nigeria winning nine times, Algeria have won six of those encounters while the remaining three have ended in a draw. The last match between Nigeria and Algeria was the first leg of the 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Novemebr 12, 2016. Nigeria won 3-1.

While Algeria, who have just one point from five matches in the qualifiers, intend to protect their pride against Nigeria in the match, Nigeria technical adviser Gernot Rohr has said that he will not let down his guard as he plans not to lose in the qualifiers.

However, much as he said that Algeria would hold their own against the three-time African champions, the former striker said there would not major changes to the Algerian team.

“We should not expect a lot of changes against Nigeria. We do not have enough time to do it,” Madjer said.

Madjer, who was capped 87 times by his country, was unveiled by the Algerian Football Federation (for the fourth time) on Thursday, to be assisted by Meziane Ighil and Djamel Menad, to handle the beleaguered Algerian national team.