Friendlies: Algeria put 18-match unbeaten record on the line against Nigeria

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Algeria will defend an 18-match unbeaten run when the leading African national teams return to action this week after 10 months of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic. The reigning African champions face Nigeria in Austria on October 9 and Mexico in the Netherlands on October 13 ahead of the November resumption of 2021 Cup of Nations qualifying. Algeria are among 18 of the top 20 ranked countries in the continent who will play one or two international friendly matches, with many being staged in Europe. The Desert Foxes, who defeated Senegal in Cairo last July to become African champions a second time, last lost in October 2018, away to Benin. They have won 15 competitive and friendly matches and drawn three since, with the victories including a thrashing of Colombia in France. Cup of Nations-winning coach Djamel Belmadi has called up 24 stars with Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez the captain and talisman. Nigeria also play twice, meeting another powerful north African side, Tunisia, in Austria four days after tackling the Algerians.