Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has told SCORENigeria the Super Eagles face a big task Sunday to go past impressive Algeria and reach the 2019 AFCON Final as a lot has changed since they last clashed two years ago.
On Thursday night, the North Africans eliminated two-time champions Cote d’Ivoire 4-3 on penalties after scores after extra-time stood at 1-1.
Both Nigeria and Algeria squared up in the qualifying tournament for the 2018 World Cup.
Nigeria won the home leg 3-1, before both teams played out a 1-1 draw in Algeria.
However, FIFA eventually awarded the return leg game to Algeria 3-0 after the Eagles fielded an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi.
Ezenwa told SCORENigeria that a lot has changed in the Algerian team who now parade new strikers and are unbeaten at the AFCON in Egypt.
“It is going to be an important game because the Algerians are very good. We watched their game when they defeated Cote d’Ivoire and we know come Sunday it won’t be an easy game,” he said.
“We defeated them 3-1 in 2017 (2018 World Cup qualifiers), but that was two years ago and a lot has changed since then, I could see they have some good strikers who did not feature against us.
“They are unbeaten at this AFCON and so it will be a big task for us against them on Sunday.
“But I believe we have all it takes to make millions of Nigerians proud.
“With the same attitude, the same love, we will go all the way to the Final.”
Kick off at the Cairo International Stadium Sunday will be 8pm.
