Nigeria finally settled an old score as the Super Eagles beat Algeria 2–0 in Marrakech to book a place in the AFCON semi-finals, delivering long-awaited Algeria vs Nigeria revenge at AFCON after the painful 2019 semi-final defeat.
After a cagey first half, Nigeria came out breathing fire. Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart, rising above the Algerian defence to plant a clever downward header past Luca Zidane. It was classic Osimhen, power, timing and pure striker’s instinct.
Ten minutes later, the Super Eagles struck again. Akor Adams doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 57th minute after a sharp assist from Osimhen, finishing calmly to leave Algeria stunned and chasing shadows.
Nigeria could have made it three when Akor rattled the upright with a header, a moment that summed up Osimhen’s relentless night and growing influence on this tournament. Algeria, meanwhile, struggled to respond as Nigeria controlled the tempo with authority and maturity.
In a moment heavy with symbolism, Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez was substituted just after the hour mark, as coach Vladimir Petkovic turned to younger legs. For many watching, it felt like the closing chapter of Mahrez’s AFCON journey, fittingly ended by the very opponent he once crushed in 2019.
This victory was about more than progression. It was personal. Nigeria exorcised old ghosts, silenced doubts around off-field distractions, and reminded the continent why they remain perennial AFCON heavyweights.
For Algeria, the defeat was sobering. A talented, experienced side bowed out quietly, but, they will have consolation in that they will play at rhw FIFA World Cup in the USA this year.
For Nigeria, though, this Algeria vs Nigeria revenge AFCON night belonged to Osimhen, ruthless, dominant, and decisive.
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