Gambia eye Afcon slot against Algeria

Algeria will battle with Gambia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group D match at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Algeria on Friday.

Kick-off is at 9:45pm CAT.

The Desert Foxes secured their place in this year's finals after defeating Togo 4-1 away in their previous Group D match four months ago.

The 1990 Afcon champions are placed at the top of the group standings - five points above third-placed Togo with one match left.

Djamel Belmadi, the Algeria head coach, has reportedly called up NA Hussein Dey goalkeeper Gaya Merbah to the national team squad.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper has replaced ES Setif goal-minder Mustapha Zeghba, who is currently nursing an injury according to reports coming out of Algeria.

Meanwhile, Gambia kept their hopes of qualifying for the Afcon finals alive by thrashing Benin 3-1 at home in their last Group D game four months ago.

The Scorpions are placed fourth on the group standings - two points behind second-placed Benin, who will host Togo on Sunday.

Modou Jobe, the Gambia goalkeeper, is confident that they can defeat Algeria and qualify for the finals for the first time if the other result between Benin and Togo goes their way.

"(It) is a game that we already know we must win and pray the other results goes our way. Mentally, we are ready to face Algeria and defend our national colours," Jobe told Foroyaa.

"We will do anything possible to make history by getting the three points in Algeria."