Algeria Name EIGHT Mercenaries In Starting XI To Face Nigeria

Eight players that were eligible to represent other nations have been named by Desert Foxes manager Leekens in his starting XI to face Nigeria this evening in a World Cup qualifier at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

The Algerian Football Federation have circumvented the rules by luring several players born in France and who previously represented the youth teams of the European nation to play for the Desert Foxes.

Antalyaspor goalkeeper M’Bolhi, who will start in goal versus the Super Eagles, could have decided to turn out for Congo and France, having been born to an Algerian mom and Congolese father in Paris, France.

Central defender Aïssa Mandi was born in Châlons-en-Champagne, France and would have played for the Blues prior to his competitive debut for Algeria in 2014.

Left wing-back Faouzi Ghoulam represented France at U21 level before he was approached by the Algerian Federation to switch his allegiance to the North African country.

Leganés defensive midfielder Medjani captained France U21s squad before he was cap-tied by Algeria, Spurs loanee Bentaleb and Porto winger Brahimi previously represented France U19s.

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez was born and raised in France and was eligible to play for Morocco and Algeria before choosing the Desert Foxes.

Bologna midfielder Saphir Taïder played for various age groups with France and was could have represented Tunisia rather than Algeria.

Algeria Starting XI : M’Bolhi, Ghoulam, Belkaroui, Mandi, Ziti; Medjani, Bentaleb, Taider, Slimani, Mahrez and Brahimi

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : faf.dz