Algeria bank on Napoli star to stop Iwobi, Musa

Algeria coach Georges Leekens  is banking on Napoli left-back  Faouzi Ghoulam to  prevent Nigeria’s Premier League duo  Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa from hitting the Desert Foxes  on the counterattack during their Russia 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.Ghoulam, who was struggling with a muscular pain,   picked up a groin injury  while training with the Desert Foxes  in Algiers  ahead of the clash against the Super Eagles.  There were fears  the 25-year-old  would miss the encounter, but reports in Algerian media  on Thursday claimed the hard-tackling defender, who represented  the North African country  at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, was available for selection for the Uyo game  after he participated in the team’s final training ahead of their trip to Nigeria.Algeria were dealt a huge blow  this week after Dinamo Zagreb forward  Hilal Soudani, Montpellier  attacking midfielder Ryad Boudebouz  and  Lyon midfielder Rachid Ghezzal   withdrew from the fixture due to   injuries. Leekens   was forced to   invite Arsenal’s 18-year-old  midfielder Ismael Bennacer,  Qatar-based attacker  Baghdad Bounedjah and   Lille forward Yacine Benzia for the crucial  clash.Influential Algerian outlet  Le Buteur reported on Thursday that Ghoulam had recovered and fit for the game against the Eagles. His job is to prevent Nigeria from launching attacks through the right channel through Iwobi and Musa.“Leekens knows  that Ghoulam’s absence against Nigeria will be felt on the field, especially when   forwards such as Iwobi, Ighalo  and  Ahmed Musa from Leicester will attack from   the right  side,” Le Buteur quoted team sources as saying.Meanwhile, Leekens  has urged  his players to rise to the challenge each time they are attacked by the Eagles during the match, warning  the team  they will pay dearly if they allow Nigeria’s attackers to get behind their  defence.The Belgian said, “You have to play as a whole. You have to stay well on the ground. Nigeria are going to rush to the attack at the start of the game, so we have to be careful.“To achieve a good result in this match, we have to stay in the same position even when we advance to  the midfield or in attack,”Â  the former Lokeren manager told reporters before travelling with his team to Nigeria.Leekens believes the  1990 African champions  can capitalise on Nigeria’s  defensive vulnerabilities as they look to get their World Cup qualification back on track after  their 1-1 home draw against Cameroon on October 9, the same day the Eagles stunned Zambia 2-1 in Ndola.He said, “The defence of Nigeria has certain shortcomings that need to be taken into account. It will have to be marked, it is imperative. To achieve a good result,  there must be one or more goals. They will rush to attack. It is necessary to be in place at the beginning of the meeting then to operate by counterattacks.”