Desert Foxes Determined to Down the Atlas Lions in Marrakech Derby

Super motivated Algeria national squad take on Morocco at Marrakech Stadium tonight (8 pm GMT) as they both bid to secure a win to pave a way on the road to the African Cup of Nations 2012.

Unlike the first leg tie in Annaba (1-0), where the Desert Foxes made it without several key players, Coach Abdelhak Benchikha could not complain as he recuperated the likes of Karim Matmour, Foued Kadir, Karim Ziani and Madjid Bougherra who are in top shape and ready for tonight contest. 

Coach Benchikha said he is happy to see all these players returning to the squad, mostly playmaker Ziani and defender Bougherra, “who are due to give confidence and assurance to the midfield and the defense lines.”

The players for their part are unanimous that they do not have another choice but to down the Atlas Lions in their home, tonight, in order to continue the road to the CAN 2012. They said a defeat in Marrakech would jeopardize their qualification chances and, ultimately, force them out to the exit door.  

However, Wolverhampton ace Adlene Guedioura has been suffering an ankle injury since Thursday and declared out of tonight derby. Yet, Olympiakos striker Rafik Djebbour, said he is determined to play tonight, despite feeling pains in his adductors, mostly as the squad’s doctor has given him the green light to play. 

This derby match is part of the 4th stage of Group 4 in the qualifiers to CAN 2012 to be hosted jointly by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The Group 4 comprises also Central Africa and Tanzania who are set to clash tomorow. To recall, all of the four teams have 4 points each. 

The probable starting 11: 

Mbolhi – Kadir-Bougherra – Anther Yahia – Mesbah- Lemouchia – Lacen – Ziani –Yebda –Matmour – Djebbour.