AFCON 2025 Quarterfinal: Nigeria vs Algeria – Team News & Lineups

The highly anticipated quarterfinal match of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 sees Nigeria take on Algeria at the Marrakech Stadium in Morocco. Scheduled for Saturday at 5 PM local time (16:00 GMT), both teams are coming off impressive performances that paved their way to this crucial stage of the tournament.

Nigeria vs Algeria: A Clash of Titans

Algeria enters this match with a remarkable defensive record, conceding only one goal in four matches. Their ability to maintain a solid backline will be put to the test against Nigeria’s offensive prowess, which boasts a tournament-high 12 goals.

Team Form and Path to Quarterfinals

• Algeria: Advanced through the group stage with three consecutive wins against Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea. In the Round of 16, Algeria defeated DR Congo 1-0, thanks to a stunning effort from Adil Boulbina.
• Nigeria: Achieved a perfect record in the group stage by defeating Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. The Super Eagles cruised into the quarterfinals with a dominant 4-0 victory over Mozambique.

Key Players to Watch

Both teams feature standout performers. For Algeria, Riyad Mahrez has been pivotal, scoring three goals in four matches. He is supported by Ibrahim Maza and Anis Moussa, while goalkeeper Luca Zidane has kept clean sheets in his appearances.

Nigeria’s spotlight has shifted to Ademola Lookman, who has impressed with three goals and four assists at AFCON 2025. Victor Osimhen, another key figure, scored in the knockout round and looks to regain his form. The midfield is spearheaded by Alex Iwobi and captain Wilfried Ndidi.

Recent Encounters and Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Algeria holds a slight advantage in their head-to-head matchups against Nigeria, winning 10 of their 22 encounters, while Nigeria has recorded nine victories. The last meeting concluded with Algeria winning 2-1 during a friendly in September 2022.

What Lies Ahead

The winner of this quarterfinal clash will advance to face either Cameroon or Morocco in the semifinals, scheduled for January 14 in Rabat. Both teams are eager to continue their journey in this prestigious tournament.

As match day approaches, fans eagerly anticipate a showdown where Algeria’s sturdy defense collides with Nigeria’s formidable attack. The stakes are high as both teams vie for a spot in the AFCON 2025 semifinals.