The Super Eagles of Nigeria, in another fantastic performance, soared past the Desert Warriors of Algeria 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 AFCON in Marrakesh on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Victor Osimhen grabbed the headlines with a goal and an assist for Akor Adams to steer the Super Eagles past the Algerians in the packed Grande Stade de Marrakesh.
Eric Chelle stuck with the same lineup from the win over Mozambique, as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams continued their partnership in attack.
As seen all through the tournament, the 2013 AFCON winners started the game on the front foot and could have taken the lead in the opening half hour, but the attempt from Calvin Bassey was cleared on the goal line by one of the Algerian defenders.
Then moments later, some desperate defending from the Algerians stopped Akor Adams in his tracks in the box. The Sevilla forward then had the chance to put Nigeria ahead just before the halftime break, but he sent his effort well over the bar. Nigeria, who limited the Algerians to zero shots on target in the first half, ended the half with the game goalless.
After the break, striker Osimhen made a powerful jump to head Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross past Luca Zidane to put Nigeria in the lead in the 47th minute. Just as much of the first half, Nigeria continued to dominate the game, with the Algerians struggling with the intensity from Eric Chelle’s men.
Alex Iwobi, who is having a strong run of performances in the competition, played a line-breaking pass onto the path of Osimhen. Still, the Galatasaray striker unselfishly laid it for Adams to finish brilliantly after dribbling past the Algerian goalkeeper.
It was a dominant performance from the Super Eagles as the North Africans failed to test goalkeepeer Stanley Nwabali for most of the game. The only blip on the performance was the loss of skipper Wilfred Ndidi to a hamstring injury, and to make matters worse, he was booked on his way out, meaning he would miss next Wednesday’s semifinal.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will now face the hosts, Morocco, in Rabat for a place in another final after their defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in 2024.
