Nigeria will be looking to give new Algeria coach Georges Leekens a nightmare debut when the teams meet in Uyo on Saturday evening for a 2018 World Cup qualifier. The match will be staged at the Akpabio International Stadium, kick-off at 18h00 CAT.

Nigeria opened their Group B campaign with a 2-1 away win over Zambia in Ndola last month: promising youngsters Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi scored the goals for the Super Eagles, whose perfect start to the third round has raised hopes of a third successive World Cup appearance and a sixth overall.

Algeria, on the other hand, were left somewhat disappointed by their 1-1 draw with Cameroon in Blida. Hillel Soudani’s early goal was not enough to see off the Indomitable Lions, who fought back to level the game through Benjamin Moukandjo and deny the Fennec Foxes all three points.

That game proved to be the last in charge for coach Milovan Rajevac, who left his post after a revolt from the Algerian players. The North Africans have since appointed former Tunisia coach Georges Leekens and the Belgian admits that facing Nigeria away will be a tough prospect.

“Being good will not be enough there, we have to be 200 percent and most effective. Nigeria will be a very difficult match, I supervised and I analysed their game, we still have a lot of work because our opponents have grown enormously,” said Leekens.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr had similar sentiments in regards to the Fennec Foxes: “It will be difficult against Algeria because they are No.1 in Africa. But we will try to beat them to have a good position in our qualifying group,” said the German.

The teams have met in 16 official international matches according to FIFA statistics, with six wins apiece.

The other Group B match this weekend sees Cameroon host Zambia in Limbe on Saturday evening, kick-off at 17h00 CAT.

•Text courtesy of mtnfootball.com. Photo shows the Super Eagles.

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