Who: Algeria vs Nigeria
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
The place: Marrakech Stadium in Marrakesh, Morocco
When: Saturday at 5pm (16:00 GMT)
Learn how to comply with: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 13:00 GMT prematurely of our textual content commentary stream.
A check of a formidable defence towards a deadly assault will probably be on show when Algeria tackle Nigeria within the Africa Cup of Nations’ (AFCON) most eagerly-awaited quarterfinal in Marrakesh on Saturday.
Advisable Tales
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Algeria have produced a near-flawless defensive show at AFCON 2025, conceding simply as soon as in 4 matches. However their resolute backline now faces a stern problem towards a sharp-shooting Nigerian aspect that has scored a tournament-high 12 objectives.
The lethal duo of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen arising towards the dependable Luca Zidane guarantees a captivating showdown.
However can the Nigerian attackers put their on-field points from the earlier match behind them and problem the Algerian defence?
Right here’s every part it is advisable to find out about Algeria vs Nigeria:
What was the feud between Osimhen and Lookman?
Within the 63rd minute of the match towards Mozambique, whereas Nigeria have been 3-0 up, Osimhen appeared sad with Lookman’s determination to tackle defenders himself relatively than move the ball to him throughout an attacking transfer.
Osimhen squared as much as Lookman and gestured angrily in his route, prompting captain Wilfried Ndidi to step in and break the struggle. His intervention proved ineffective, nevertheless, as Mozambique defender Reinildo finally shoved Osimhen away amid the confrontation.
The incident appeared to have an effect on Osimhen’s curiosity thereafter, as he grew to become more and more disengaged from Nigeria’s play and shortly signalled to the bench to be substituted. Head coach Eric Chelle obliged, introducing Moses Simon in his place.
The drama continued on the last whistle when Osimhen headed straight down the tunnel, whereas the remainder of the Nigerian squad remained on the pitch in a post-match huddle.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Lookman mentioned: “There’s no challenge. It’s simply soccer. At all times soccer. He’s my brother.”
Coach Chelle refused to go deep into the problem, saying, “What occurred on the pitch will keep within the group.”
How did Algeria attain the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals?
Algeria superior to the knockouts with three wins out of three – towards Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
Within the spherical of 16, they beat DR Congo 1-0 in further time, because of a spectacular strike from substitute Adil Boulbina.
How did Nigeria attain the quarterfinals?
Nigeria stormed into the knockouts with a 100 per cent file as nicely, beating Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in Group C.
They started their knockout marketing campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Mozambique.
Who will the winner face within the semifinals?
The winner of the Algeria vs Nigeria match will face the winner of Cameroon vs Morocco.
That semifinal will probably be held on January 14 in Rabat.
Who’re Algeria’s greatest gamers?
Winger Riyad Mahrez, extensively remembered as an important member of Leicester Metropolis’s iconic Premier League-winning marketing campaign a decade in the past, stays an evergreen determine, standing out as Algeria’s key participant with three objectives in 4 matches.
Alongside him, forwards Ibrahim Maza (two objectives) and Anis Moussa (two assists) have additionally been influential in assault, whereas viewers also needs to be careful for Mohamed Amoura, who was Africa’s main scorer in World Cup 2026 qualification.
Algeria’s goalkeeper, Luca Zidane, son of French nice Zinedine Zidane, can be a formidable presence between the sticks, protecting clear sheets in all three appearances to this point.
Who’re Nigeria’s greatest gamers?
All eyes had been on Nigeria’s star striker and talisman, Osimhen, earlier than the match, however it’s Lookman, who has stolen the limelight. Arguably the match’s greatest participant, Lookman has bagged three objectives and 4 assists in three appearances at AFCON 2025, proving equally influential each as a playmaker and a finisher.
Taking part in within the No. 10 function, Lookman has thrived because the hyperlink between midfield and assault, delivering harmful crosses into the field and posing a relentless long-range menace.
Nigeria’s attacking firepower is additional bolstered by the masked Osimhen, who has but to hit prime gear on the match however is regularly discovering his rhythm, citing his third aim within the last-16 conflict.
Striker Akor Adams has emerged as an unsung hero after his two assists and a aim within the final sport, whereas Alex Iwobi has been pulling the strings in the course of the park, and captain Wilfried Ndidi has been equally influential, anchoring their midfield.
Algeria and Nigeria kind guides
Algeria: W-W-W-W-L
Nigeria: W-W-W-W-L
Head-to-head
Algeria and Nigeria have met in 22 earlier encounters, together with each aggressive and pleasant matches.
Algeria have a slight edge within the head-to-head file, profitable 10 occasions, whereas Nigeria have received 9 occasions. Three video games led to a draw.
Algeria have been an AFCON bogey staff for Nigeria, profitable 4 and drawing two of 9 conferences, together with a 5-1 drubbing of the Tremendous Eagles en path to profitable the 1990 match at house.
When did Algeria and Nigeria final meet?
They met in a world pleasant in September 2022 in Oran, Algeria. The North Africans received 2-1 in that fixture.
Have Algeria ever received an AFCON title?
Sure. Algeria are two-time AFCON winners, clinching the title in 1990 and 2019.
Have Nigeria ever received an AFCON title?
Sure. Nigeria are three-time AFCON champions, profitable in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Algeria staff information
Algeria’s head coach, Vladimir Petkovic, will probably be sweating over midfielder Ismael Bennacer’s health after he was taken off injured within the final sport early within the second half.
Algeria’s predicted lineup
Luca Zidane; Rafik Belghali, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Ait Nouri; Hicham Boudaoui, Ismael Bennacer, Fares Chaibi; Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Mohammed Amoura
Nigeria staff information
Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has a completely match squad at his disposal.
Nigeria’s predicted lineup
Stanley Nwabali; Vibrant Osayu-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman; Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen
