Algeria must beat Niger today in Nairobi to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Pamoja 2024.
Tanzanian referee Ahmed Arajiga will blow the kick-off whistle at 6:00 pm (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports MENA, BeIN Sports France, and SuperSport.
Coach Madjid Bougherra said the match will decide his side’s fate. “Our next match is very important for us because it will determine our qualification for the next round,” he told reporters. “We hope to finish first in the group, but the main thing is to win. Uganda is in a favourable position.”
Algeria are second in Group C with one win and one draw from their first two matches. They opened with a victory over South Africa but were held by Guinea, leaving questions over their consistency.
Bougherra said he reminded his players of the level expected. “We must not play like we did against Guinea,” he said. “If we repeat the same matches as against South Africa or Uganda, that’s where we can go far, in sha Allah. Everyone knows what awaits us and what we must do to qualify.”
The coach stressed the importance of collective determination. “The match against Niger is decisive, but I believe in my players and their ability to win. The real strength of our team is team spirit. That’s what will make the difference on the pitch.”
But he admitted Algeria must be more efficient in front of goal. “The problem of converting opportunities still haunts us, it’s the same difficulty we encountered during the last CHAN in Algeria. It’s an aspect that requires daily work at the club, but we are making great efforts to improve at this level.”
Bougherra added: “We don’t want to talk too much about the attackers so as not to plunge them into doubt. The important thing is that we score in every match.”
Preparations in Nairobi have been described as “serious and focused”, though there is uncertainty over goalkeeper Akram Bouras. “His starting role is not certain. He only resumed training yesterday. We will not take any risks, we want to prepare him in the best possible conditions,” Bougherra said.
Niger, already eliminated with one point, sit bottom of the group but Bougherra said his side will not underestimate them. “The players are determined to deliver a performance worthy of the national jersey and the supporters. We must take advantage of every opportunity to make a difference.”
Predicted Score:
On paper, Algeria should seal their qualification to the next round. They showed their quality against South Africa, and with qualification on the line, Bougherra’s men are unlikely to take risks. Niger, already out, may play with freedom but lack cutting edge.
Let’s say Algeria 2–0 Niger
