Head coach of Algeria, Lucas Alcaraz has insisted that his team can still topple the Super Eagles of Nigeria and qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
The Desert Warriors are currently bottom of Group B, with one point from their first two fixtures.
Nigeria tops the group with six points; Cameroon is second with two points, while Zambia occupies the third position on one point.
“Obviously, we’re not the favourites, but we have to do everything in our power to get as many points and wins as we can,” Alcaraz told FIFA.com.
“We have to fight hard in every game to make sure there are no regrets at the end of it all.
“We’re going to prepare in depth for the two matches against Zambia. The FIFA calendar dictates that our future’s going to hinge on those two games, played in the space of just five days. The players and the staff know what they have to do, what’s expected of them and the importance of these two matches. I need a lot of players for those two games and I’m absolutely convinced that if we beat Zambia, then we’ll qualify.
“If we can get through to the last match (against Nigeria) with morale high and full of hope after a couple of wins, I think we’ll be able to go into it with confidence high.
“If we can win our next home games, we’ll be in a good position to welcome Nigeria on the final day.”
On Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Togo, Alcaraz said: “We’re pulling together information on earlier games, so we can get ready to take on Togo. We’re also getting information on our players. We really need to prepare in depth for this match, and for every aspect of the training camp, so that the players are properly focused and competitive when the match comes round.”
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