Online Reporter
NIGERIA head coach Eric Chelle has emphasised the importance of maintaining consistency at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they prepare to take on Algeria in the quarter-finals at the Stade de Marrakech today.
Kick-off is at 6pm.
The Super Eagles have emerged as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Morocco after winning their opening four matches and scoring the most goals (12).
However, Chelle’s side have only kept one clean sheet thus far — in the round of 16 when they routed Mozambique 4-0 — with Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda all breaching their net in the group stages.
The three-time AFCON champions beat the Taifa Stars 2-1 before being given a scare by the Eagles of Carthage, who scored two goals in the final 16 minutes after finding themselves 3-0 down.
Nigeria then claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Cranes to finish top of Group C, one of just two teams to advance with a perfect record — the other being the Fennecs.
Algeria have shipped just one goal in the tournament — a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea after they defeated Sudan 3-0 and Burkina Faso 1-0 in their opening two games.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side needed 120 minutes to get past DR Congo in the round of 16, with Adil Boulbina scoring a dramatic winner in the 119th minute as penalties loomed large.
The two countries have met nine times on Africa’s biggest stage: the Fennecs have come out on top four times, one more than the Super Eagles, while they’ve shared the spoils on two occasions.
Speaking ahead of today’s match, Nigeria head coach Chelle said: “I’m happy with the victory, of course, but we have to be honest with ourselves. We have done nothing yet. We have simply won one game.
“If we want to be ambitious, we must continue to improve and maintain this level of quality on the pitch. Football is about consistency.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Algeria — Riyad Mahrez is his country’s leading AFCON scorer with nine goals after bagging a brace against the Falcons of Jediane and netting the winner against the Stallions.
The 34-year-old winger was rested for the clash with Uganda before being recalled to the starting line-up against the Leopards.
The Fennecs captain is in contention to win the Golden Boot as he trails Morocco’s Brahim Diaz by one goal.
Nigeria — Victor Osimhen really stepped up against the Mambas, scoring once in each half after Ademola Lookman had broken the deadlock on 20 minutes. The 27-year-old striker found the back of the net just once in his first three games of the tournament and Chelle will be looking to him to lead the charge against Algeria.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last Five AFCON Matches)
Matches – 5
Algeria wins – 3
Nigeria wins – 2
Draws – 0 — AFP Sport.
