The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured a commanding spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a decisive 2-0 victory over Algeria's Desert Foxes. The thrilling quarter-final clash took place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Grande Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
Dominant Performance Seals Semi-Final Berth
From the first whistle, the Nigerian side displayed superior tactics and control, effectively neutralizing the Algerian threat. Striker Victor Osimhen and forward Akor Adams were the heroes of the day, each finding the back of the net to seal the 2-0 win. The Algerian team struggled immensely, failing to register a single shot on target until the 80th minute of the match.
In a post-match conference, Algeria's head coach, Vladimir Petkovic, conceded his team's shortcomings. He applauded the Super Eagles' strength, stating, "I don’t want to go into too many details, but Nigeria was better than us. We were missing a lot of things. We wanted to control the game, but the opponent was strong and prevented us from doing so."
Unexpected Support: Moroccans Erupt in Joy for Nigeria
In a heartwarming and unexpected turn, a viral TikTok video captured the genuine excitement of Moroccan fans during the match. The clip, shared by user @garyalsmiths, showed a group of men in a local Moroccan bar cheering passionately for every Nigerian advance and goal.
The TikToker highlighted the unique scene, captioning the video: "When you are watching Nigerian supporters in a Moroccan bar, and none of them are remotely Nigerian." The footage shows the Moroccans shouting with joy, their support for the Super Eagles underscoring the unifying power of football across African borders.
Post-Match Tensions and Penalty Controversy
The final whistle did not bring calm, as frustrations boiled over for the Algerian camp. Players and officials angrily confronted the match referee, Issa Sy from Senegal, and his team of officials. The disagreement escalated into a significant on-field altercation that required intervention.
The core of the dispute was a denied penalty claim in the second half. Algerian players insisted that Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi had committed a handball offense in the box. However, expert analysis by a referee instructor known as Victor clarified the decision using IFAB (International Football Association Board) laws.
"The defender initially had his arm in a natural position but extended it after playing the ball," Victor explained in an Instagram video analysis. "However, the ball first touched his leg before his arm, so per IFAB rules, it's not a handball offense. This is why the VAR didn't intervene."
This victory sets up a highly anticipated semi-final clash between Nigeria's Super Eagles and the host nation, Morocco's Atlas Lions. Morocco earned their place by defeating Cameroon's Indomitable Lions, thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari. Football fans across the continent are now eagerly awaiting this epic showdown.
