Troost-Ekong: Nigeria Will Stop Mahrez, Slimani

Ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo, Super Eagles defender Williams Troost-Ekong has said that he and his colleagues are perfecting strategies that will stop the Fennecs from scoring any goal.


The Algeria forward line will be spearheaded by Leicester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, but Troost-Ekong is not too bothered.

"We know that they have a very good attack that is capable of hurting the best defence in the world but we know them and we have been watching a lot of their matches in club sides and national team and I think we are in good condition to stop them from scoring on Saturday,"  Troost-Ekong told newsmen on Wednesday.

"The idea is to ensure that they do not catch us on a counter-attack or with their long balls into the box. We know they are good aerially but we shall try and cut off the supply or do the aerial game with them during set pieces. We shall do everything possible to stop them scoring against us."

He noted that after beating Zambia in their home ground, the Eagles cannot afford to drop any points at home if they must be at the World Cup in 2018, adding that the Algerians will be under pressure to win in Uyo but will meet an uncompromising Super Eagles side.