“We want to go at Algeria right from the beginning of this game” – Futty Danso

Gambia international defender Mamadou “Futty” Danso says him and his teammates will be looking to go at Algeria right from the beginning when both sides meet in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday.

Algeria are largely expected to build upon their one-goal advantage when they host the Gambia, despite their recent 2-1 defeat by Mali in a World Cup qualifier.

The Algerians - Nations Cup champions in 1990 - came back from a goal down in the first leg against the Gambia - Antar Yahia and Sofiane Feghouli getting the goals to turn the game around and give them a 2-1 win.

Coach Vahid Halilhodžić believes that home advantage makes a huge difference in Africa and expects his team to benefit from playing at the Stade Mustapha Tchakern in Blida, confident they will secure their qualification with a victory.

Halilhodžić will assess the fitness of Cedric Si Mohamed and Hamer Bouazza after the pair missed training on Thursday. The Gambia must recover after suffering a 2-1 defeat by Tanzania in a World Cup qualifier last weekend, a result which defender Futty Danso, who plies his trade in America for Portland Timbers, admitted was damaging.

But the MLS-based player insisted his side can put that game behind them and he said his side “have no fear” going into the match with Algeria.

Futty said in an interview with the BBC: “We want to go at them right from the beginning of this game. We cannot let the crowd get behind them and distract us - we have to score as early as possible.”

“Most people are not giving us a chance of victory, but we want to prove them wrong,” he added.

The Scorpions will be without first-choice goalkeeper Pa Dembo Touray, striker Ousman Jallow and midfielder Tijan Jaiteh.