Algeria 18-Match Unbeaten Run Put To Test Against Nigeria

Algeria will defend an 18-match unbeaten run when the leading African national teams return to action this week against Nigeria 

AllNews understands that the match against Nigeria is a repeat of the exciting 2019 Cup of Nations semifinal won by a Riyad Mahrez thunderbolt free-kick in stoppage time.

READ ALSO: Leicester City's Ndidi Could Be Out For 6-12 Weeks - Club Manager, Brendan Rodgers

The reigning African champions face Nigeria in Austria on 9 October and Mexico in the Netherlands on 13 October ahead of the November resumption of 2021 Cup of Nations qualifying.

Algeria is among 18 of the top 20 ranked countries on the continent who will play one or two international friendly matches, with many being staged in Europe.

The Desert Foxes, who defeated Senegal in Cairo last July to become African champions a second time lost in October 2018 away to Benin.

They have won 15 competitive and friendly matches and drawn three since, with the victories including a thrashing of Colombia in France.

Cup of Nations-winning coach Djamel Belmadi has called up 24 stars with Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez the captain and talisman.

Algeria then edged Senegal 1-0 in the final thanks to an early goal from Qatar-based Baghdad Bounedjah, who is also part of the squad for the friendlies.

Ighalo, a 31-year-old forward on loan to Manchester United from Shanghai Shenhua until 31 January, was not chosen by German coach Gernot Rohr for this international window.