Algeria Extends Unbeaten Run To 19 After Defeating Nigeria

Algeria extended their unbeaten run to 19 matches with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria on Friday in an international friendly between two of the top five ranked African countries.

The Cup of Nations title holders Algeria needed less than six minutes to score the goal in the Austrian town of Sankt Veit an der Glan that sank Nigeria in a rematch of the 2019 semifinal at the flagship African competition.

READ ALSO: Algeria 18-Match Unbeaten Run Put To Test Against Nigeria

Centre-back Ramy Bensebaini ventured forward for a corner and after heading the ball downward, poked it into the net.

How we line up tonight #NGAALG #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/qmHEmMDTAq

— ?? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 9, 2020

Nigeria gave a debut to Frankfurt-born Kevin Akpoguma who, like Bensebaini, plays in the Bundesliga, and represented Germany at an 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 moves to the Netherlands for a friendly against Mexico on Tuesday. 

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 the 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 the 2021 Cup of Nations hosts Cameroon drew 0-0 against Japan.