Algeria vs Nigeria: Semi-Final Bound or Another Heartbreak for Super Eagles?
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga
Algeria Seeks 2019 Repeat Over Nigeria in Third AFCON Title Hunt
No quarterfinal matchup in the 2025 AFCON is easy, but Algeria might have gotten the toughest pairing with Nigeria to beat. The Fennecs themselves boast only one goal conceded all tournament (the joint-lowest). But that defence will be tested against a Super Eagles side that has scored the most goals (12) in a game fewer than the other teams in the top 3.
It's going to be a matchup for the ages, and definitely one that'll leave punters scratching their heads for the best bet. Thankfully, our experts have all the details on this game's outcome in the Algeria vs Nigeria prediction.
Even captain Mahrez jokingly said, “I am afraid,” when asked about facing Nigeria. Then went on to add “Of course, they scored a lot of goals at this competition. They have a very good attack, I can’t deny it. But tomorrow will be tomorrow. I am not scared at all, it’s a football game.”
After needing 120 minutes to break past DR Congo in the last round, The Fennecs will need to come up with a better solution to Nigeria, which accepts goals but often scores 2 or 3 times more.
A win for Algeria might look similar to their 2019 semifinal victory, where they defended against more shots, but managed to keep Nigeria to one goal while netting two. Interestingly, Algeria went on to win the 2019 AFCON after that game. So another win against Nigeria will definitely make The Fennecs feel like they can repeat history and lift a third in Morocco.
Last Edition's Finalist Eye Revenge and AFCON Crown
After their World Cup heartbreak that saw them fail to qualify for the prestigious tournament in back-to-back editions since the 90’s, Nigeria has turned to the AFCON for redemption.
And the Super Eagles are already playing like champions. They've not only scored the most goals (12), but also created 19 big chances, which is just one fewer than the highest while having a game in hand.
Offensively, Nigeria has been a nightmare to face in this tournament. But that shouldn't be surprising with an attack consisting of two of the last three African Players of the Year. After falling to a 2-1 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in the 2023/24 AFCON final, Nigeria are determined to write their wrongs.
They've already scored four more goals than they did in the entire 2023 AFCON campaign (8). But Nigeria has conceded just as much (4) after the RO16 in the 2025/26 campaign, which could spell trouble against an Algeria side with equally lethal players.
Algeria vs Nigeria: Mahrez-Maza vs Lookman-Osimhen
For both teams, it'll all fall down to who can outsource who while holding the other to as few goals as possible.
Algeria must be especially worried about Ademola Lookman, arguably the tournament's best player already. The Atalanta forward has a staggering seven-goal contribution (four assists and three goals) in just three games, averaging more than 2 G/A per game.
In front of him is Osimhen, who seems to have finally found his footing after netting two goals in the last round to bring his tally up to 4 G/A. Yet another problem for Algeria is Osimhen’s strike partner, Akor Adams, who just bagged two assists and a goal against Mozambique.
That trio alone have more goal contributions than Algeria has goals (8) in this tournament. It'll be truly interesting to see how Algeria’s defence (which has only conceded one goal) tackles that frontline.
Likewise, the Super Eagles will have to answer to the Mahrez-Maza problem, and possibly be even more proactive, considering the number of goals they've leaked. Riyad Mahez, the former Man City man and five-time EPL winner, has scored three goals in three games, carrying most of the weight in Algeria’s attack.
Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza has also been busy, with 3 G/A so far, the same as Mahrez. Together, they can pose a lot of problems for the Super Eagles, who've conceded four goals in four matches, and a goal in three separate games.
