Algeria captain, Riyad Mahrez, has named their semi-final opponents, Nigeria as one of the favourite teams to win the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Manchester City winger said that the Super Eagles will be more formidable than their quarterfinal opponents, Ivory Coast.
Mahrez further pointed out that Nigeria has an advantage having played South Africa on Wednesday while the North Africans battled the Elephants the following day.
”Yes, it’s true that Nigeria is a very tough opponent. This is one of the favorites of this competition,” Mahrez was quoted as saying by Le Buteur.
”Nigeria is always playing the leading role in the Africa Cup of Nations. First we will recover well because we will have a day less than them, then we will get to work to be on top of the day.
”Obviously, I am very optimistic like my teammates. We have achieved so far an exceptional journey in this AFCON.
”We have won a lot of games, that of Ivory Coast is the only one where we went to a penalty shootout.
”This drives us to be optimistic but we will base ourselves on work. We will prepare for this game well and give it all.”
Nigeria has never lost to Algeria on the field of play for 29 years.
