The ghosts of 2019 will haunt Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday when Nigeria confront Algeria in an Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal.
Six years ago, Riyad Mahrez curled a stoppage-time free kick past Daniel Akpeyi to send Algeria into the final and Nigeria home in tears. That 95th-minute strike in Cairo remains seared into the memory of every Super Eagles supporter who watched their team crumble at the hands of the Desert Foxes.
Now both nations arrive with unblemished records at AFCON 2025, having won all four matches in Morocco. Yet beneath the statistics lies a rivalry with decades of continental battles and two nations desperate to prove supremacy.
Algeria secured their quarterfinal berth through Adil Boulbina’s thunderous 119th-minute winner against DR Congo, a goal that sparked wild celebrations and confirmed their reputation for late drama. Nigeria demolished Mozambique 4-0 with clinical efficiency, showing the attacking firepower that has made them the tournament’s most dangerous side.
What is at stake?
The contrast in styles could not be starker. Nigeria have scored 12 goals across four matches, equaling their output from the 2000 edition when they finished runners-up. Algeria have conceded just once, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane posting three consecutive clean sheets since switching international allegiance from France.
Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have emerged as Nigeria’s twin threats, each contributing three goals and terrorizing defenses with relentless movement. The 2024 African Footballer of the Year has recorded seven goal contributions in three matches, while Osimhen sits three goals behind Rashidi Yekini’s all-time national record of 37.
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Algeria’s defensive fortress stands as the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s ambitions. Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine, has not conceded in any match he has started, becoming the first Algerian goalkeeper since 1996 to keep clean sheets in his first two AFCON appearances.
The 27-year-old Granada stopper made two crucial saves against DR Congo to preserve Algeria’s perfect run, earning praise from coach Vladimir Petkovic for providing “a real sense of security” to a backline anchored by Premier League defenders Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ramy Bensebaini.
Previous matches and head to head
History weighs heavily on this fixture. Nigeria won the 1980 AFCON final 3-0 over Algeria to claim their first continental title. A decade later, Algeria exacted revenge on home soil, defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the 1990 final to lift their first trophy.
Their most recent AFCON encounters have produced drama befitting the rivalry. Beyond the 2019 semifinal heartbreak, the teams battled to a penalty shootout in the 1988 semifinals before Nigeria prevailed 9-8 from the spot.
Algeria hold a slight edge in recent competitive meetings, winning four of their last five encounters including friendlies in 2020 and 2022. Yet AFCON history between the nations remains perfectly balanced: four wins each with two draws across 10 tournament meetings.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has transformed his side into a ruthless attacking machine since taking charge, implementing tactical flexibility through 4-3-1-2 and 4-3-3 formations. The Franco-Malian tactician recorded a perfect group stage, earning recognition as manager of the tournament’s Best XI for the opening round.
Chelle faces pressure to deliver Nigeria’s first AFCON title since 2013, a 13-year drought that has tested the patience of 200 million Nigerians. Algeria seek their third continental win after triumphs in 1990 and 2019, both campaigns that featured victories over Nigeria.
Mahrez, now Algeria’s all-time leading AFCON scorer with eight goals, sent an ominous warning ahead of the quarterfinal. “Nigeria? We know them well, the game will not be easy,” the Manchester City legend said. “A free kick at the last minute again? We’ll see, anything is possible.”
The winner advances to face either Morocco or Cameroon in the semifinals, with a place in the January 18 final at stake.
Both teams arrive with perfect records, but only one will leave Marrakesh with their dreams intact. When the final whistle sounds, history will have a say.
