Algeria welcome Niger this evening at 21:00 (UK) in Algiers before the return leg on Monday 27 March at 16:00 (UK) in Tunis.
They sit top of Group F after 2-0 wins over Uganda and Tanzania in June 2022.
During the recording of a new City Studios documentary, The Riyad Mahrez Story, the 32-year-old spoke about helping Algeria win their first African Cup of Nations in almost 30 years when they emerged victorious in 2019.
Mahrez captained them in the tournament where they beat Senegal 1-0 in the final. Beghdad Bounedjah’s goal in the second minute was the deciding factor between the two sides.
Mahrez looks back with great joy at that moment – and the bus parade that followed in capital Algiers.
He said: “It was a 30 minute journey and it took seven hours. It was incredible.
“It was amazing, this passion. You cannot find it anywhere else. It only exists in Algeria.
“Our people are unique. Tough but unique. I think the Algerian people deserved that win and the joy it bought.
“I gave a lot that tournament but I still have two AFCONs and one World Cup in me. I’ll do everything to win again.”
Mahrez admits in the documentary that his journey to becoming a mainstay name on the Algeria team sheet has been unique having been born and raised in Sarcelles, France.
His father Ahmed, who sadly passed away from a heart attack when Mahrez was just 15-years-old, was born in Algeria.
That fact ensures a close bond with Algeria – and Mahrez admits he thought of his dad on the final whistle following that AFCON success in 2019.
He added: “It was the first thing that popped into my mind. Instantly!
“I’ve always been very close to Algeria. My father is Algerian and was born in Algeria. We were going there every year, staying two months in my father’s village, with all the family.
“It was like we were from there, like we were living there. I was really close to the country, to my country. So when they called me, I had no doubt.”
