The Super Eagles are through to the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after securing a dominant 2-0 win over Algeria in their quarterfinal clash on Saturday, setting up a huge encounter against hosts Morocco, Bold Sports reports.
Eric Chelle’s side delivered a commanding display, with striker Victor Osimhen setting the tone by opening the scoring minutes into the second half before turning provider for Akor Adams to seal the win, as Nigeria maintained their perfect run in the tournament.
The Super Eagles started the game positively and had a very early chance to go ahead but Semi Ajayi’s header went over the bar. Few minutes later, Lookman’s corner met the head of Osimhen, but his effort also went wide before Onyeka’s goal-bound shot was blocked as Nigeria continued a brilliant spell of possession in the first 10 minutes.
Algeria started to get into the game as time went on, pressing aggressively and denying Nigeria of the early possession they had. However, Lookman came close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute, but his shot to the near post was saved by Zidane.
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Few minutes to the half hour, Osimhen was played through on goal and looked certain to score the opener, but was denied by Ait Nouri, who made a brilliant challenge to win the ball off the striker. Moments later, Bensebaini made a goal-line clearance to stop Bassey’s header from going in.
The chances kept coming for the Super Eagles as Akor Adams had a huge opportunity after Iwobi won the ball in midfield. The challenge from the Fulham star put Adams clearly through on goal, but the striker failed to take advantage as his effort went wide, keeping the scores level.
Lookman had a free kick opportunity in the final seconds of the first half, but his effort was easily saved by Zidane as an entertaining half of football ended goalless.
The Super Eagles finally broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half as Bruno Onyemaechi provided a brilliant cross to the back post which was headed in clinically by Osimhen, making it 1-0. In the 53rd minute, both players repeated the trick as Onyemaechi found Osimhen, but this time the striker’s header was tame and saved by Zidane.
Few minutes later, Akor Adams atoned for his terrible miss in the first half, making it 2-0 after a beautiful team move. Iwobi found Osimhen with a defense-splitting pass, before the Galatasaray striker unselfishly teed up Adams who dribbled past Zidane and passed the ball into an empty net.
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic made a triple substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Bounedjah, Hadj Moussa and Boulbina for Zerrouki, Mahrez and Ibrahim Maza. Despite the changes, Nigeria continued to dominate.
Akor Adams came very close to netting a brace in the 81st minute after Osimhen found the Sevilla man with a cross, but his header hit the woodwork. Algeria pushed for a goal in the final minutes of the game to set up a dramatic finish, but Chelle’s side held on to secure victory, ending the Desert Warriors’ campaign.
The result means that the Super Eagles have now won all five games they have played in the tournament so far. They will hope to extend that record when they face hosts Morocco in a highly-anticipated semifinal clash on Wednesday, January 14.
The Carthage Eagles defeated Cameroon 2-0 in their own quarterfinal clash on Friday night, as Brahim Diaz continued his brilliant form with his fifth goal in five matches, before Saibari wrapped up the victory in the second half.
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