Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on Saturday night in Marrakech, defeating Algeria 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Against a side that never seemed to find its rhythm, the Super Eagles controlled the tempo from start to finish and secured a high-stakes semifinal showdown with host nation Morocco.
Billed as one of the tournament’s headline matchups, the game quickly tilted in Nigeria’s favor. Just after the break, Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock with a powerful header, expertly guided home from a pinpoint Onyemaechi cross. Barely ten minutes later, Akor Adams doubled the lead, capitalizing on a high press initiated by Alex Iwobi. Algeria, lacking precision and urgency, struggled to mount any serious response as their rare forward pushes were easily shut down.
It was a disappointing showing from Vladimir Petkovic’s team, who looked nothing like the side that had impressed earlier in the tournament. Their normally resilient back line was overwhelmed by the pace and technical skill of Nigeria’s attacking trio: Osimhen, Adams, and Lookman. Even after a series of substitutions, Algeria remained out of sync and unable to shift the momentum.
The numbers told the story: zero shots on target for Algeria, compared to ten attempts and five on target for Nigeria. Possession stats heavily favored the Super Eagles as well. Simply put, Algeria never got into the game.
With this emphatic win, Nigeria punches its ticket to the semifinals, where it will face a confident Moroccan side. The upcoming clash promises fireworks, as both teams carry serious title ambitions and have looked strong throughout the tournament.
