Nigeria booked their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 2–0 victory over Algeria, producing a clinical second-half performance to end the Fennecs’ challenge and underline their title credentials.
After a closely fought opening period, the Super Eagles shifted gears immediately after the break, with Victor Osimhen once again leading from the front. The Napoli striker broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, rising above the Algerian defence to head home a precise cross from Bruno Onyemaechi and register his fourth goal of the tournament.
The breakthrough transformed the contest. Algeria, forced to chase the game, left gaps at the back and Nigeria wasted no time in exploiting them. Just ten minutes later, Osimhen turned provider, sliding a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Akor Adams.
The forward kept his composure to round goalkeeper Luca Zidane before calmly finishing into an empty net to double Nigeria’s advantage.
Algeria attempted to mount a response by pushing higher up the pitch, but they struggled to break down a disciplined Nigerian backline marshalled with confidence and control. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remained largely untroubled as the Super Eagles managed the tempo intelligently, denying Algeria any clear route back into the contest.
The victory sends Nigeria into their 16th AFCON semi-final appearance, reaffirming their status as one of the tournament’s most consistent forces.
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to a mouth-watering last-four clash against hosts Morocco in Rabat, with a place in the final firmly in their sights.
Source: AFCON
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