Blow to Algeria as Defender is Ruled Out of Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria has suffered a major blow ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash after defender Youcef Atal was ruled out due to a fractured collarbone.

The North Africans will take to the field on Sunday night against Nigeria, and the defender was initially in contention for a starting berth.

Atal, who turns out for Nice in French Ligue 1, aggravated the injury which he suffered in last-eight clash against Ivory Coast during training.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It’s not easy to stop this AFCON at this level but I have full confidence in this group, we will still fight until the last moment,”[/perfectpullquote]

Atal tweeted.

Atal was substituted the 30th minute of the quarter-final game where his spot was taken by Mehdi Zeffane in a match that the Desert Foxes won through a penalty shoot-out.

“The injury ended Atal’s participation in the tournament and he will travel to Paris for further examination by the club’s medical team,” a source close to the player told reporters.

Algeria are due to face Nigeria in the semi-final clash at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday July 14.

This will be the ninth time that Algeria will play against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations. In all previous meetings, the Desert Foxes have registered three wins and two draws.