RIYAD MAHREZ and Algeria are aiming to make a return to the World Cup as they face Cameroon over two legs.
The Fennec Foxes have been an enigma in recent years as they missed out on the 2018 World Cup, but then won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and the Fifa Arab Cup in December last year.
However they followed these triumphs up with a wretched Afcon in which they came bottom of a group containing Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
2017 Afcon champions Cameroon also failed to qualify for the last World Cup and will be looking to put things right this time around.
The Indomitable Lions were hosts of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, in which they reached the semi-final before being knocked out on penalties by Egypt and Mo Salah.
That exit saw manager Toni Conceicao sacked, with former West Ham and Liverpool star Rigobert Song stepping up from the Under-23s to take charge of these two crucial games.
But their preparations for this match have been rocked by goalkeeper Andre Onana being involved in a car crash.
What time does Cameroon vs Algeria kick off?
- Cameroon host Algeria on Friday, March 25.
- The match kicks off at 5pm UK time – 6pm in both Cameroon and Algeria.
- It takes place at the Japoma Stadium, Douala.
- The sides last met in 2017 when Cameroon picked up a 2-0 win in World Cup qualifying.
What TV channel is Cameroon vs Algeria on and can I live stream it free?
Team news
Swansea and former Celtic star Olivier Ntcham has received his first call-up for Cameroon after switching from France.
Neither side have any serious injury woes ahead of this game.
Goalkeeper Rais M’Bohli is closing in on 100 caps, an accolade he would be only the second Algerian to receive.
Cameroon squad
Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands).
Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Tchamba Duplexe (Sonderjyske)
Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), Ntcham Olivier (Swansea), Fuchs Jeando (Peterborough), Ondoa Gael (Hannover 96)
Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Wassu Patient (Coton Sport), Soni Kevin (Asteras Tripoli), Tawamba Leandre (Al-Taawoun FC)
Algeria squad
Goalkeepers: Rais M’Bolhi (Al-Etiffaq), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz), Moustapha Zeghba (Damac FC)
Defenders: Aissa Mandi (Villarreal), Abdelkader Bedrane (Espérance Tunis), Mehdi Tahrat (Al-Gharafa), Djamel Benlamri (Qatar SC), Ahmed Touba (RKC Waalwijk), Youcef Atal (Nice), Houcine Benayada (ES Sahel), Youcef Laouafi (ES Sahel), Ramy Bensebaini (Mönchengladbach)
Midfielders: Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente), Hichem Boudadoui (Nice), Sofiane Bendebka (Al Fateh), Adlene Guedioura (Burton Albion), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray), Ismaël Bennacer (AC Milan)
Strikers: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City), Rachid Ghezzal (Besiktas), Youcef Belaïli (Brest), Mohamed Benyettou (Al-Wakrah SC), Ishak Belfodil (Hertha Berlin), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon)
Latest odds
Cameroon 23/20
Draw 9/5
Algeria 13/5
*Odds from Betfair correct as of Tuesday, March 23
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk