PSL star helps Nigeria book AFCON semi-final spot
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffNigeria secured a dominant 2-0 win over Algeria to book a spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday evening.
Super Eagles featured no changes to the eleven against Mozambique in the last 16, whilst Ramiz Zerrouki came in for the Algerians and replaced the injured Ismael Bennacer.
Eric Chelle’s men enjoyed a dominant start and the off-the-ball running from Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen denied the Desert Foxes space to penetrate.
There was a nervous moment for the Foxes a little later when a shot at the back-post by Calvin Bassey from a free-kick rolled goal-wards, but a last-ditch clearance saved the day.
Nigeria squandered a clearer opening shortly ahead of the interval through a one-one-one by Akor Adams following a defence-splitting pass.
The first half dominance reaped rewards a minute in the second half when Osimhen rose high at the back-post and headed in Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross.
Nigeria pierced through the Desert Foxes again ten minutes later as Osimhen raced in-behind and laid off a pass to Adams who rounded Luca Zidane to roll in the net.
The Desert Foxes summoned on Anis Hadji-Moussa for Riyad Mahrez and Baghdad Bounedjah for Zerrouki in the hope of a comeback a few moments thereafter.
Algeria showed more forward impetus later on and nearly halved the tally with a snap shot outside the area by Bounedjah.
Adams though closed in to a brace in the last ten minutes when his header from a cross into the area clattered off the upright and back into play.
Nigeria were able to run down the remaining exchanges of the contest to seal victory and passage to the semi-finals.