Nigeria Dominate Algeria to Set Up AFCON Semifinal Date With Morocco
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Nigeria’s Super Eagles booked their place in the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with an authoritative 2-0 triumph over Algeria on Saturday night in Marrakech, Morocco.
Second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams sealed a commanding performance that left the Fennecs stunned at the Stade de Marrakech. Osimhen opened the scoring shortly after the restart before turning provider ten minutes later, setting up Adams to put the contest beyond Algeria’s reach.
From the opening whistle, Nigeria asserted control, dominating possession and dictating the tempo against an Algerian side that struggled to cope with the Super Eagles’ intensity. Algeria failed to register a single shot for the first 80 minutes, a testament to Nigeria’s superiority across all areas of the pitch.
The attacking trio of Osimhen, Adams and Ademola Lookman was relentless, stretching Algeria’s defense and pinning them deep. Despite their dominance, Nigeria had to wait until after halftime to break the deadlock. Their closest effort of the first half came in the 29th minute when Calvin Bassey’s goal-bound effort was dramatically cleared off the line by Ramy Bensebaini.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 47th minute. Bruno Onyemaechi delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Osimhen rose highest at the far post to power a header past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
Nigeria doubled their advantage ten minutes later in ruthless fashion. Osimhen latched onto a pass from Alex Iwobi inside the box before calmly squaring the ball to Akor Adams, who rounded Zidane and slotted into an empty net to seal the win.
Algeria, who had conceded just once in their previous four matches at the tournament, offered little response. They were unable to test Stanley Nwabali, as the Super Eagles goalkeeper enjoyed a comfortable clean sheet on the night.
Nigeria now turn their attention to a mouthwatering semifinal clash against tournament hosts Morocco, scheduled for Wednesday in Rabat, as the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
