By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Algeria on Friday night October 9, 2020, defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in a friendly match played in Austria.
The victory extended Algeria’s unbeaten run to 19 matches.
Cup of Nations title-holders, Algeria, scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of the match played at the Austrian town of Sankt Veit an der Glan.
Recall that Algeria also knocked out Nigeria in the 2019 semi-final at the flagship African competition.
Algeria’a centre-back, Ramy Bensebaini, ventured forward for a corner and after heading the ball downward, poked it into Nigeria’s net.
Nigeria gave a debut to Frankfurt-born Kevin Akpoguma, who, like Bensebaini, plays in the Bundesliga, and represented Germany at under-age level before switching his allegiance.
The defender is the latest of many Europe-born footballers to represent the African country where parents or grandparents come from.
Algeria last lost in October 2018 away to Benin and now move to the Netherlands for a friendly against Mexico on Tuesday, while Nigeria plays Tunisia on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Senegal, the top ranked African national team ahead of Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Morocco, suffered a series of major withdrawals from the squad.
Liverpool forward and 2019 African Footballer of the Year, Sadio Mane, tested positive for Covid-19 and injuries ruled out goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
In another high-profile warm-up match behind closed doors ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying next month, Morocco triumphed 3-1 over a depleted Senegal.
Burkina Faso, Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania and Tunisia also won while 2021 Cup of Nations hosts Cameroon drew 0-0 against Japan.
