Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Algeria’s Desert Warriors will lock horns tomorrow at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade de Marrakech in the third quarter-final of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
With five continental titles between them, both sides are expected to go all out for a place in the semi-finals of what has been widely regarded as one of the most competitive and glamorous editions in the tournament’s 69-year history.
Both teams have also had to relocate venues. The Super Eagles arrived in Marrakech from Fès on Thursday after playing all their group and Round of 16 matches there, while the Fennecs travelled from Rabat, where they also prosecuted their first four games of the competition.
Three-time champions Nigeria have scored 12 goals in four matches so far, while Algeria have found the net eight times, including three-goal hauls against Sudan and Equatorial Guinea in Group E. The Fennecs edged past DR Congo with a stoppage-time winner, while Nigeria brushed aside Mozambique in the Round of 16.
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Nigeria’s attacking trio of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams has drawn attention, with Adams buoyed by his maiden AFCON goal against Mozambique and positive personal developments off the pitch. The trio will test the resolve of the 1990 and 2019 champions.
Osimhen and Lookman were central to Nigeria’s runner-up finish at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire and have again delivered strongly, scoring three goals each at this tournament. Lookman has also provided five assists, while Osimhen has one.
Algeria, however, boast proven match-winners capable of turning games on their head when least expected, a quality that has defined their success over the years.
Baghdad Bounedjah, scorer of the decisive goal in the 2019 AFCON final against Senegal, remains one of Algeria’s most reliable forwards and a constant threat in the final third.
Captain Riyad Mahrez continues to rank among the country’s finest, drawing comparisons with past greats such as Rabah Madjer, Lakhdar Belloumi and Abdelhafid Tasfaout, who defined different eras of Algerian football.
Midfielder Ismael Bennacer brings control and bite to Algeria’s engine room, while defender Ramy Bensebaini, scorer in a 2020 friendly win over Nigeria, also poses danger from set pieces.
Adil Boulbina struck the decisive goal against DR Congo, and Nigeria will also need to keep tabs on midfielders Ibrahim Maza and Hicham Boudaoui, as well as forward Anis Hadj-Moussa.
Nigeria, however, have impressed with their cohesion, intensity and discipline, with captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi anchoring the side with energy and authority.
Osimhen’s brace against Mozambique moved him within three goals of Nigeria’s all-time scoring record of 37, while Lookman now has six AFCON goals following his exploits at the last edition. Both forwards will be keen to extend their tally.
Paul Onuachu, whose group-stage goal against Uganda marked Nigeria’s 150th AFCON goal, remains an option for coach Eric Sekou Chelle as the Super Eagles chase a place in the last four.
The winner of the encounter will advance to face either hosts Morocco or Cameroon, who meet today in Rabat in the other quarter-final.
Interestingly, history appears to be repeating itself. When Morocco last hosted AFCON in 1988, Cameroon faced the hosts in one semi-final while Nigeria battled Algeria in the other.
On that occasion, Nigeria edged Algeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Cameroon defeated Morocco to set up a final against the Super Eagles. The Indomitable Lions went on to claim a controversial 1-0 victory.
