Algeria are expected to have their deadly quartet of Riyad Mahrez, Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani leading their attack in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia in Blida on Friday.
Leicester City’s Mahrez and Sporting Portugal’s Slimani are enjoying their best season to date, with 16 and 20 league goals under their belt respectively.
National coach Christian Gourcuff has very seldom enjoyed the opportunity to field the duo alongside 2014 FIFA World Cup stars Brahimi and Feghouli, mainly due to injury.
To battle the Walya Antelopes at Stade Mustapha Tchaker, the former FC Lorient manager is expected to renew his faith in Aïssa Mandi and Carl Medjani at the heart of the defense, with Mehdi Zeffane and Faouzi Ghoulam either side of the duo and Raïs M’Bolhi between the posts.
In the absence of injured Nabil Bentaleb, Lorient’s Walid Mesloub should be paired with Saphir Taïder in front of the back line, while FC Porto’s Brahimi will control and direct the pace with Mahrez and Feghouli on the wings and Slimani upfront.
The game will kick off in Blida at 21h30 CAT. ( 5.30 at night Ethiopian local time)
Source: African Football
