Half-Time Report Algeria 0 Nigeria 0: Eagles Holding Their Own So Far

The dead rubber between Algeria and Nigeria is 0-0 at halftime on Friday in Constantine.

With the Super Eagles through to the 2018 World Cup with 13 points in the bag, coach Gernot Rohr elected to field fringe players in a 4-3-3 formation.

Mainz defender Leon Balogun captained the team and paired with William Troost Ekong at the heart of the defence. Shehu Abdullahi and Ola Aina played in the full backs.

Israel based John Ogu, Mikel Agu and Onyinye Ndidi sat in the midfield, with Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi getting game time too.

Yacine Berahimi saw a speculative effort blocked by Ikechukwu Ezenwa early in the game while Iwobi set up Anthony Nwakaeme with a neat flick but the striker was slow to react.

The game lacked the needed place with both sides knocking the ball around and committing fouls.

Leicester City striker Slimani kept a frustrated figure as he was caged by Balogun and Ekong as the forward tried to impose himself to the game.

At the end of the first half, it was a scrappy one as the two sides played without motivation.

Abayomi Ademetan

Photo Credit : thenff.com