With Algeria already qualified for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, the Greens are aiming to top group F with a 100 per cent win record when they take on Tanzania in their final qualifier on Thursday night.
Kick-off is at 9:00pm (SA, GMT+2)
While the Algerian football federation have been in the spotlight recently, regarding infrastructure issues around the national team, Djamel Belmadi will be fully focused on maintaining their unbeaten run during the Afcon qualifiers this week.
At the top of group F, Algeria registered home and away victories against Uganda and Niger, while claiming a 2-0 away win against Tanzania in June last year.
Belmadi named a 25-man team for the remaining qualifier, with Sofiane Feghouli returning to national team duty. However, Algeria will be without influential midfielder Houssem Aouar, who will miss the tie owing to injury.
Speaking ahead of the game, Belmadi lamented Algeria’s injury woes and that he would have to make do with the players at his disposal.
“We have a lot of injuries, it's true that it will affect us a little,” Belmadi said.
“Even on the selected players, some are not at 100 per cent, not to mention those who are in lack of competition. This is the negative point of this gathering."
While Algeria will be making their way to Ivory Coast next year, Tanzania need one more point to book their spot in the 2023 Afcon installment.
CLAWING THEIR WAY TO SECOND PLACE
Following a stuttering start to their qualifying campaign, which began with a stalemate with Niger and defeat to Algeria, Tanzania managed to claw their way up to second in group F.
In what was crucial results thereafter, an away win against Uganda, followed by a home victory over Niger in June earlier this year saw Taifa stars book their spot in next year’s showpiece.
Tanzania assistant coach, Fouad Bouali, spoke fondly of the upcoming tie given that he is of Algerian origin.
“The match is special for me as an Algerian,” Bouali said.
“It will be very difficult. Algeria plays football at a high level.”
In the head-to-head battle, Algeria hold an overwhelming advantage over Tanzania in the last five matches played in all competitions.
The Greens go into their next game on the back of four consecutive victories against Tanzania, with one stalemate recorded during this period.