Algerian captain, Bonfrere Jo differ over Group B qualification

Fennecs of Algeria captain, Sofiane Feghouli, and former Super Eagles’ Coach, Bonfrere Jo, have disagreed over which country would qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup from Group B of the African qualifying series, reports soccernet.com.ng.

Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroun and Zambia are together in the group that has been termed ‘group of death.’ But while Feghouli believes Algeria will progress from the group with the help of their fans, Jo says Nigeria will make it if the Super Eagles prepared well.

The qualifiers are expected to run from October 2016 to November 2017.  Speaking on the draw, Feghouli said: “We are in a difficult group but with the people of Algeria totally behind us, and or quality and commitment, we have all the chances of clinching a historic third successive World Cup ticket.”

Feghouli, who recently completed a move to London club, West Ham from Valencia, made his debut for the Algerian national team on February 29, 2012, in a 2–1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win against Gambia, scoring the winning goal. During qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he scored three goals in seven appearances for Les Fennecs. In the team’s opening match of the 2014 World Cup, a 2–1 defeat to Belgium in Belo Horizonte, Feghouli scored with a penalty kick – Algeria’s first World Cup goal in 28 years.

In his submission, Bonfrere Jo told completesports website, “the Super Eagles are the best team in Africa, they have the best players coming out of the African continent and playing their best football in Europe. So, I’m confident it will not be a problem for the Eagles to top their group.

“If you make the right selection amongst the many players you have, if you monitor the players’ progress in Europe, see how they are faring and start your preparation on time, why not, the Super Eagles will do it.”

Picking the Eagles’ opponents one by one, he added: “Cameroon are not fantastic at the moment, Algeria, yes, they are coming up stronger, but not yet near the Super Eagles in quality and form.

“So, if Super Eagles are in their top form, they will be in Russia. Yes, they will be there.”“What the Super Eagles need is a top class coach, an experienced coach who has good knowledge of African football and its players.“With a technically sound manager, who can harness the potentials of the players, the Super Eagles can make it.”