Eagles renew rivalry with Warriors in blockbuster clash

Nigeria will remain focused and united when they face Algeria in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final duel at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday (today), coach Eric Chelle has declared.

The Super Eagles clash with the Fennecs at 5pm in Morocco’s fourth-largest city, with both teams bringing perfect records into the encounter.

“It’s crucial for me to maintain focus on the pitch. While energy matters, the mindset is paramount. Our group will remain united,” Chelle said at the pre-match conference.

“This match is critical against a formidable opponent. We are in the process of determining our game plan. I hold a deep respect for this Algerian team; their staff operates with exceptional professionalism. I’m not dwelling on revenge for 2019. My priority is to compete fiercely and secure qualification.”

Algeria won the last AFCON meeting between both sides – a 2019 semi-final at the Cairo International Stadium that ended with Riyad Mahrez scoring from a free-kick in added time, leaving goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi with no chance.

Bosnian-Swiss Vladimir Petković, the Fennecs’ manager, believes his team can extend their winning streak against the Super Eagles, who have not beaten Algeria since a 3-1 triumph in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo in November 2016.

“The most important thing is the state of mind. It all starts from there, and from that point of view, we are irreproachable. We have the reliability and the quality,” Petković said.

“Tomorrow, we need to be just as good defensively as offensively. That will be paramount. All the details will matter against Nigeria. Nothing should be left to chance. We have the quality. We believe in ourselves and we just have to play a big game.”

Saturday’s match will be the 25th clash between both teams at senior level, with Algeria having won 10 times and Nigeria clinching victory on nine occasions in regulation time. Five previous confrontations ended in draws, but the Eagles claimed a penalty shootout win in one – a semi-final encounter at the 1988 AFCON also hosted by Morocco. After regulation and extra time ended 1-1, Nigeria won 9-8 in a penalty shootout that went into sudden death and saw some players kicking twice.

Nigeria progressed to the last eight with a 4-0 victory over Mozambique, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice while Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams also found the net. Alex Iwobi controlled midfield proceedings in a performance that reinforced the Super Eagles’ attacking depth.

The win saw Nigeria become the first team in AFCON history to record victories in their opening four matches of a single tournament. With 12 goals scored so far, they enter the quarter-finals as the competition’s leading attacking side.

Algeria advanced after a 1-0 extra-time win over DR Congo, with substitute Adil Boulbina’s dramatic 118th-minute strike proving decisive. The Desert Foxes have conceded just one goal across the tournament, with their progress built on defensive structure and game management rather than attacking volume, setting up a tactical contrast against Nigeria’s fluid front line.