Nigeria beat Algeria 2–0 to reach AFCON 2025 Semi-Final against Morocco
Nigeria booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 2–0 victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday night.
A dominant second-half performance saw Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams deliver the goals that ended Algeria’s impressive defensive run and set up a blockbuster last-four clash with hosts Morocco.
Second-Half surge breaks Algerian resistance
After a tightly contested first half, Nigeria struck almost immediately following the restart. Osimhen rose highest in the 47th minute to power home a header from Bruno Onyemaechi’s precise cross, giving the Super Eagles a deserved lead.
Just ten minutes later, the advantage was doubled. Akor Adams latched onto a loose ball in the box and calmly slotted a right-footed finish beyond the Algerian goalkeeper to make it 2–0.
It was a reward for Nigeria’s sustained pressure and superior attacking threat throughout the match.
Nigeria control the contest
Long before the goals arrived, Nigeria had been in control. The Super Eagles dominated possession, dictated the tempo and repeatedly breached Algeria’s defensive shape. Only the heroics of defender Ramy Bensebaini, who made several goal-line clearances in the first half, kept Algeria in the game at the interval.
Despite introducing Baghdad Bounedjah and making tactical changes in the second half, Algeria never found a way back. The Desert Foxes failed to register a single shot on target across the 90 minutes.
Midfield Authority and Defensive Steel
Nigeria’s midfield ran the show, with Alex Iwobi pulling the strings and moving the ball efficiently between defence and attack. Wilfred Ndidi, who picked up a yellow card, and Calvin Bassey provided the defensive platform that ensured Algeria never gained momentum.
Adams later struck the post as Nigeria threatened to add a third, while several other chances went narrowly wide. Late substitutions, including Moses Simon, helped Nigeria manage the closing stages comfortably as they saw out another clean sheet.
Eyes on Morocco
The win sends Nigeria into the AFCON 2025 semi-finals, where they will face tournament hosts Morocco in Rabat in one of the biggest matches of the competition.
With their defence solid, midfield dominant and forwards firing, the Super Eagles now stand just two wins away from claiming a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title.
Algeria, who had conceded only once before this match, exit the tournament after being completely outplayed on one of the biggest stages
SportsLigue