Nigeria Beat Algeria To Set Up Blockbuster Semi-Final Clash With Morocco

Nigeria cruised into the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Algeria 2-0 at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.

The Super Eagles, eager to make amends after finishing as runners-up at the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast, will now face hosts Morocco in the last four at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Wednesday.

Morocco booked their semi-final place on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon, the same side that eliminated Bafana Bafana in the round of 16.

Nigeria dominated the match from start to finish and should have taken the lead in the 37th minute when Akor Adams found himself clean through on goal, only to fire his effort high and wide.

Algeria came into the encounter with fond memories of their 2-1 semi-final victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON, when Riyad Mahrez scored a dramatic late winner before the Desert Foxes went on to lift the trophy by beating Senegal in the final in Egypt. However, a repeat of that feat never looked likely, as Nigeria proved far superior throughout.

Despite controlling the first half and seeing Calvin Bassey’s goal-bound effort cleared off the line, Nigeria needed just one minute after the restart to break the deadlock through Victor Osimhen.

The former African Footballer of the Year rose highest to meet a cross from Bruno Onyemaechi, powering his header past Luca Zidane.

Nigeria continued to play attractive, attacking football and Osimhen soon turned provider. In the 57th minute, he set up Adams, who rounded Zidane before calmly slotting the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0.

The Super Eagles came close to adding a third when Adams was left unmarked inside the six-yard box from Osimhen’s lofted pass, but his header struck the base of the left post.

Algeria struggled throughout the contest, and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, conceded two goals for the first time in the tournament. Zinedine Zidane was once again present in the VIP suite, as he has been throughout the competition, to watch his son in action.

Nigeria’s semi-final clash with Morocco promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both nations widely regarded as strong favourites to lift this year’s AFCON title. But now one of them won’t win it.