Nigeria secured a place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-final clash on Saturday night. Goals from Victor Osimhen and Chukwueze Adams ensured the Super Eagles progressed to the last four, ending the campaign of Riyad Mahrez and his Algerian side.
The match, played at Marrakech Stadium in Morocco, was dominated early by Nigeria. The Super Eagles controlled possession and repeatedly threatened the Algerian goal throughout the first half, though they were unable to find the breakthrough. In the 37th minute, Adams came close with a curling effort that narrowly sailed over the crossbar, highlighting Nigeria’s early attacking intent.
The deadlock was finally broken shortly after the interval. In the 47th minute, Osimhen met a precise cross from Bruno Onyemechi with a powerful header, marking his fourth goal of the tournament. Just ten minutes later, Adams doubled Nigeria’s lead with a composed finish. Receiving a brilliant through ball from Osimhen, he calmly rounded Algeria’s goalkeeper Luka Zidane before slotting the ball into the net.
Nigeria continued to press for a third goal, coming close in the 81st minute when Adams headed another cross from Osimhen, only for the ball to strike the post. Defensively, the Super Eagles were resolute, keeping Algeria under constant pressure and neutralising the threat of Mahrez, who had announced prior to the match that this tournament would be his final AFCON appearance. He was substituted after just over an hour on the pitch, leaving Algeria unable to mount a meaningful comeback.
The Super Eagles now face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday. A win against the tournament favourites would keep Nigeria’s dream of a fourth AFCON title alive, setting the stage for an exciting clash.
Key Match Stats:
| Statistic | Nigeria | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Scorers | V. Osimhen (47’), C. Adams (57’) | – |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 3 |
| Possession (%) | 55 | 45 |
| Corners | 7 | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
| Substitutions | 3 | 3 |
Nigeria’s clinical attacking display and disciplined defending ensured their progression, while Algeria’s campaign ended in disappointment. The stage is now set for a thrilling semi-final encounter with Morocco, with both teams vying for a place in the AFCON final.