- Nigeria stun Algeria 2-0 to book semi-final spot in the AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
- Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams handed the Super Eagles the decisive goals in the quarterfinals played on Saturday evening.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria produced a dominant display to defeat the Atlas Lions of Algeria 2–0 in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final, with Victor Osimhen once again at the center of everything.
From the opening minutes to the final whistle, the Super Eagles dictated the tempo of play pressing the Atlas Lions from their own half , dominating possession and a strong second-half showing to seal their passage into the semi-finals.
The match kicked off at a high tempo, with Nigeria immediately asserting themselves.
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Inside the opening two minutes, the Super Eagles won an early free kick, and Semi Ajayi rose highest to meet it, but his header sailed just over the bar.
Algeria responded by trying to slow the game down, with Yacine Maza going down under pressure on the flank, though play was waved on.
Nigeria stun Algeria to book semi-final spot
Nigeria continued to probe. Victor Osimhen broke through the Algerian defensive line in the 8th minute, cut the ball back into the danger area, but the cross was well cleared.
From the resulting corner, Osimhen again got on the end of the delivery, but his header lacked direction and went over the bar.
Moments later, Frank Onyeka attempted to connect with a teasing cross but failed to make clean contact.
The Super Eagles maintained their intensity. Algeria struggled to keep the ball as Nigeria pressed aggressively in midfield.
In the 15th minute, Algeria’s Ismaël Bennacer Zerrouki was booked for a late challenge on Ademola Lookman, underlining Nigeria’s control of the midfield battle.
Nigeria came agonizingly close in the 29th minute when Lookman’s delivery caused chaos in the Algerian box. Calvin Bassey’s touch looked destined for the net, but Algeria survived thanks to a crucial goal-line clearance.
The pressure was relentless, with Osimhen’s movement continually unsettling Algeria’s back four.
A golden opportunity arrived in the 36th minute when Alex Iwobi slipped Akor Adams through on goal.
With only the goalkeeper to beat, Adams lifted his effort over the bar, much to Nigeria’s frustration. Despite dominating possession and chances, the Super Eagles went into the break with the score level at 0–0.
Having dominated the first Nigeria wasted no time after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, the breakthrough finally came.
Bruno Onyemaechi delivered a precise cross into the box, and Victor Osimhen rose powerfully to head home, giving Nigeria a deserved 1–0 lead in the 47th minute his fourth goal in this year’s Afcon tournament.
Algeria attempted to respond by pushing players forward, but that left spaces at the back.
Nigeria exploited this in the 56th minute when Akor Adams made amends for his earlier miss, calmly finishing a swift attacking move to double the Super Eagles’ advantage from Victor Osimhen’s assist.
With a two-goal cushion, Nigeria shifted into game-management mode. The midfield screened the defence effectively, while Osimhen ,Akor and Ademola Lookman continued to battle defenders, drawing fouls and relieving pressure. Algeria struggled to create meaningful chances.
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Nigeria saw out the closing stages with composure, limiting Algeria to speculative efforts and maintaining their defensive shape until the final whistle.
Victor Osimhen’s early second-half header proved decisive, setting Nigeria on course for victory and confirming their place in the AFCON semi-finals.
The Super Eagles now march on with confidence, knowing they delivered a complete performance when it mattered most.