Former African champions gun for semifinals place Saturday evening
By Michael Okosi
The die is cast as two African heavyweights, Nigeria and Algeria, battle for one of the semifinals ticket in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday evening in the Moroccan city of Marakesh.
Nigeria punched their ticket to the semifinals with a 4-0 mauling of Mozambique while Algeria overcame DR Congo in extra time to set up this grudge match with history.
The former African champions have played a total of 24 times in all international competitions, FIFA approved friendlies and qualifiers.
At the AFCON itself, they have played six times. Nigeria beat Algeria 3-0 in the final of the 1980 AFCON at the Lagos National Stadium to claim their first title as hosts.
In 1984, both sides played out a controversial draw in a game marred by controversy as they were eventually fined for an alleged match fixing offences.In a group stage game in Boakye, the two countries played out a draw that suited Nigeria who needed a point to reach the knockout stage and ultimately eliminate West African rivals, Ghana.
Several years later, it was uncovered that there had been a pact between players of both sides to play to the gallery.
The fans in the stands suspected foul play as neither team forced issues and we’re reluctant to score a goal.
The referee of the game even handed yellow cards to Nigeria captain Stephen Keshi and his counterpart from Algeria.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu in an interview with a Nigerian newspaper some years ago reportedly confessed to that.
Nigeria eliminated Algeria on penalties in the Maroc 88 AFCON winning 9-8 on penalties.
Two years later as hosts, Algeria defeated Nigeria 5-1 in the group stage and also 1-0 in the final to become African champions.
The last meeting between them was in 2021 when a Riyad Mahrez free kick beat a hapless Daniel Akpeyi in goal for the Nigerian side in the semifinals.
Saturday’s game will be feverish with Nigeria’s attacking trio of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams expected to score the goals but the question would always be asked of the Nigerian defence who are missing the leadership of now retired William Troost-Ekong.
Head coach Eric Chelle reiterated in his Friday press conference that the team are missing the defensive nous of Ekong, Ola Aina and Benjamin Frederick – the latter two out of the tournament due to injuries.
The new central defensive duo of Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi will have a long evening to keep out the nippy Algerians but if they are able to get past them with discipline throughout the game, a date with hosts Morocco is assured in the semifinals and a place in the final on January 18 will not be far fetched.
