Any doubts surrounding the relationship between Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen were firmly put to rest against Algeria. After being in the spotlight following their confrontation in the Mozambique game, the duo responded in the best possible way—by combining brilliantly to torment the North Africans.
With their World Cup hopes already dashed, the Super Eagles have now turned full focus to continental glory, and that dream remains very much alive. Nigeria moved a step closer to the Africa Cup of Nations title after a solid 2–0 victory over Algeria in a fiercely contested quarter-final clash at the Marrakech Stadium on Saturday.
The encounter was marked by frequent physical duels and heated moments, but Nigeria kept their discipline and quality where it mattered most, sealing progression to the semi-finals as Algeria bowed out.
Algeria showed early intent in the seventh minute when Mohamed Amoura broke forward, but the assistant referee’s flag brought the move to an end. Nigeria responded swiftly, as Lookman and Osimhen linked up a minute later, only for Osimhen’s header to sail over the bar.
The Super Eagles grew in confidence and nearly took the lead in the ninth minute. Frank Onyeka connected with a teasing cross and fired goalward, but Aissa Mandi’s timely block denied Nigeria a deserved opener.
In the 13th minute, Algeria appealed for a penalty after Semi Ajayi appeared to handle the ball in the box. Despite strong protests, the referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the Desert Warriors.
Stanley Nwabali proved his importance soon after, first denying Ibrahim Maza in the 21st minute after Riyad Mahrez’s delivery, then confidently claiming Mahrez’s dangerous free kick a minute later.
Nigeria continued to threaten on the counter. Lookman came close in the 24th minute, but Luca Zidane reacted well to keep Algeria in the game. Moments later, Ramy Bensebaini twice came to his side’s rescue—first intercepting a dangerous pass intended for Osimhen, then blocking Calvin Bassey’s close-range effort.
The pressure did not relent. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s through ball found Akor Adams in the 32nd minute, but Rayan Aït-Nouri’s last-ditch intervention proved decisive. Adams had another chance before the break after being set up by Alex Iwobi, but his effort flew over the bar as Nigeria headed into halftime frustrated.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, Bruno Onyemaechi delivered a pinpoint cross, and Osimhen made no mistake, powering a header past Zidane to give Nigeria the lead.
Lookman nearly doubled the advantage in the 50th minute, but Mandi once again stood firm. Nigeria eventually got their second goal in the 57th minute, with Osimhen turning provider. The striker picked out Akor Adams, who calmly rounded the goalkeeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.
From then on, Algeria struggled to mount a response, as Nigeria controlled proceedings and comfortably saw out the game to book their place in the AFCON semi-finals.
