Morocco 2025 AFCON: Osimhen, Lookman, Akor Set for High-Stakes Clash Against Algeria

Posted : 10 January 2026

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set for a thrilling quarter-final clash against Algeria’s Desert Warriors at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, in the third knockout match of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals. Both sides, boasting five AFCON titles between them, will be vying for a place in the semifinals of one of the most competitive tournaments in the competition’s 69-year history.

Both teams traveled to Marrakech after playing all their group-stage and Round of 16 matches elsewhere—Nigeria from Fès and Algeria from Rabat. The Super Eagles have scored 12 goals in their first four matches, while the Desert Warriors have struck eight times, including high-scoring victories over Sudan and Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria eliminated Mozambique with relative ease, while Algeria edged the Democratic Republic of Congo with a late winner.

Nigeria’s attacking trio—Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams—have been in scintillating form. Osimhen and Lookman, key figures in Nigeria’s runner-up finish at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, have each netted three goals so far in this tournament, with Lookman also providing five assists. Adams, inspired by his first AFCON goal and the ongoing recovery of his mother, adds further firepower.

Algeria, however, possesses experienced match-winners of its own. Baghdad Bounedjah, the scorer in Algeria’s 2019 AFCON final win over Senegal, Riyad Mahrez, midfielder Ismael Bennacer, and defender Ramy Bensebaini are all capable of turning games. Midfielders Ibrahim Maza and Hicham Boudaoui, along with striker Anis Hadj-Moussa, also pose significant threats.

Nigeria’s squad has shown discipline, grit, and flair, with captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi delivering consistently. Osimhen’s brace against Mozambique brought him within three goals of Nigeria’s all-time record of 37, while Lookman now has six AFCON goals from previous tournaments and the current campaign. Paul Onuachu, who scored Nigeria’s 150th AFCON goal against Uganda, could also feature in Saturday’s match.

The winner of this encounter will meet the victor of the semi-final between Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions and Morocco’s Atlas Lions in Rabat on Friday. Interestingly, history is repeating itself: when Morocco hosted AFCON in 1988, Nigeria faced Algeria in the semi-final, with the Eagles prevailing on penalties before losing the final to Cameroon.

Super Eagles vs Desert Warriors Head-to-Head Highlights
Nigeria and Algeria have faced off 25 times since 1973, with notable clashes including Nigeria’s 3-0 win in the 1980 AFCON final and Algeria’s 2-1 victory in the 2019 AFCON final. The teams have alternated victories and draws across qualifiers, friendlies, and tournament matches, making the upcoming quarter-final another eagerly anticipated chapter in their long-standing rivalry.

Morocco 2025 AFCON: Osimhen, Lookman, Akor Set for High-Stakes Clash Against Algeria

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics