AFCON 2025: Algeria Players ‘Attack’ Referee After Losing to Super Eagles

• The Algerian national team players confronted the referee after their 2-0 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria
• A video has gone viral on social media showing the Desert Foxes stars chasing the referee down the tunnel
• Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams scored as Nigeria reaches the last four of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

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The Algerian national team players risk CAF sanction after confronting the match official after their 2-0 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Marrakech.

Super Eagles defeated the Desert Foxes and dumped them out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.

As noted by NFF, Nigeria was the better side, limiting the North Africans to zero shots on target, while attacking Luca Zidane with five, two of which were scored.

Algeria players confront referee

As seen in a video going viral on X, Algerian players chased the Senegalese match official Issa Sy down the tunnel after the match, and had to be restrained.

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The Algerians felt cheated after Sy waved off a penalty appeal in the first half after the ball bounced off Semi Ajayi’s thigh before touching his arm.

Fans expressed disappointment in the incident, claiming Algeria had bigger problems than officiating in a match where they did not have a shot on target.

@simplymsnobody wrote:

“U have zero shot on target Shouldn’t u genuinely be disappointed in that hectic performance ffs? This is so disgraceful from Algeria.”

@iamokamas1 wrote:

“I’m expecting CAF to take decisive action against the Algerian national team. Possibly ban them from participating in the next AFCON for bad conduct. The referee had an excellent game and was fair with his officiating today. They should rather be worried about their own poor performance and also for the fact that they came up against a better opponent”

@joseph_inyang wrote:

"Why attack the referee? He was solid throughout the match. Algeria wanted to play their normal style of play which is always diving and asking the ref for cards. That didn't work out. Why then attack the ref who has been spot on?”

According to Morocco Intel, Moroccan police arrested two videographers from Algerian TV stations as well as journalists and fans after a fight broke out in the mixed zone.

Petkovic reacts to Algeria’s loss

Algeria national team head coach Vladimir Petkovic admitted that Nigeria was the better side and deserved to win the match to qualify to the next round.

“I congratulate the Nigerian team, who deserved to win the match. The opponent played better than us. We couldn’t get into the game properly; we had to stay focused,” he told CAF Online.

“Our players are disappointed and devastated after the match. They performed well in this tournament. Now the competition is over, and another tournament is coming. We must keep our heads high after this exit.”

CAF applauds Akor Adams

Legit.ng reported that CAF applauded Akor Adams after the Super Eagles striker’s celebration after scoring Nigeria's second goal against Algeria.

Adams imitated DR Congo superfan Mboladinga 'Lumumba', who has been paying homage to former prime minister Patrice Lumumba all tournament.