PSL Star Helps Steer Nigeria To AFCON Semi-Finals

Photo by Mahugnon Leopold Soglo/Gallo Images

Nigeria booked their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Algeria on Saturday evening.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Result: Algeria 0-2 Nigeria

Date: 10 January 2026

Venue: Stade de Marrakech

Victor Osimhen continued to lead the line for the Super Eagles despite reports of unrest after his on-field spat with Ademola Lookman, while the team also reportedly decided not to train due to not receiving their bonuses.

The Super Eagles enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages of the first half with Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Osimhen causing the Algerian defence some issues, although goalkeeper Luca Zidane was not seriously tested.

The Nigerians nearly made their dominance count on 28 minutes when defender Calvin Bassey got on the end of a cross at the far post and connected with a first-time effort, however the strike was brilliantly cleared off the line by Ramy Bensebaini.

While the Algerians struggled to carve out chances, Nigeria should have opened the scoring ten minutes before the halftime break when Alex Iwobi sent Akor Adams through on goal, however the striker fired over the crossbar with only Zidane to beat in the box.

However, Nigeria got their reward two minutes into the second half when Bruno Onyemaechi broke free down the left before picking out Osimhen, who nodded past Zidane for his fourth goal of the competition.

The lead was doubled in the 57th minute when Adams made up for big miss in the first half with a composed finish after he was teed up by the unselfish Osimhen in the 18-yard area.

The Desert Foxes responded with a triple change on the hour mark as Riyad Mahrez, Ramiz Zerrouki and Ibrahim Maza made way for Baghdad Bounedjah, Anis Hadj Moussa and Adil Boulbina to freshen up the attack.

However, Algeria were unable to fashion any big openings at Stanley Nwabali’s goal in the remaining stages of the second half as the Super Eagles advanced to the semi-finals for the second tournament in a row.

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