Leekens insists Algeria can beat ‘tough’ Nigeria
Algeria’s new coach, George Leekens, believes his team can defeat the Super Eagles in Uyo if they worked hard, although he agrees that the Nigerians would be a tough nut to crack.
The Super Eagles will host Algeria in their second Group B game on November 12 in Uyo.Nigeria leads the group, but the winner of the Uyo game will have the upper hand in the race for the lone ticket to Russia 2018 World Cup.
Speaking during his first press conference since his appointment as Les Fennecs coach, Leekens said he had his work cut out for him, especially in addressing the defensive lapses in the team.
Although Algerian soccer fans berated Leekens for saying Nigeria has a dangerous attack in Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi, the Belgian insisted, “defence is one of our problems. But if I don’t know Algeria, the players, people, culture, I won’t be able to do this in 10 days.
“Everyone has to defend. Everyone must run 10m. Playing without the ball is important. Have you seen Nigeria attack? Sometimes they can be world class”.
“They have Musa, Iwobi and Iheanacho. World class players. You need special drills to stop them and that we plan to do when we meet next month.”
He boasted that his late arrival to the job would not stop him from leading the Algerians to victory, saying, “I am a worker and will do everything to help Algeria fetch a good result in Nigeria.“We will do everything to go to Russia but I am not a magician, I ask you to be behind us.”
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