In a dominant display of attacking football, the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Algeria 2-0 to secure their spot in the final four of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen put behind him his frustrations in the last match to shine against Algeria at the quarterfinal clash at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
The match, which remained a tense stalemate in the first half, exploded into life just two minutes after the restart.
Victor Osimhen, a former African Player of the Year, broke the deadlock in the 47th minute.
Rising highest to meet a pinpoint cross from Bruno Onyemaechi, Osimhen’s powerful header bypassed goalkeeper Luca Zidane, ending Algeria’s streak of defensive resilience.
Nigeria’s momentum didn’t stop there. In the 57th minute, a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Alex Iwobi found Osimhen in a dangerous position.
Demonstrating remarkable composure, the Napoli talisman chose to square the ball to Akor Adams rather than shooting. Adams made no mistake, rounding Zidane to slot the ball into an empty net and double the lead.
With Osimhen scoring a goal and giving an assist Nigeria defeated Algeria, ending the Desert Foxes’ dreams of a third title.
The Super Eagles have now reached their 16th AFCON semifinal, a joint record in the history of the competition.
This victory also serves as a form of redemption after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, proving they remain a powerhouse on the continent.
Nigeria will now travel to Rabat to face the host nation, Morocco, in a blockbuster semifinal scheduled for Wednesday, January 14. With the attack firing on all cylinders, fans are optimistic that the three-time champions can secure their first title since 2013.
