Victor Osimhen scored one goal and set up another to send Nigeria into the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Published on January 10, 2026
Nigeria has a Deserved 2-0 win Second-half strikes from Victor Osimhene and Akor Adams put Algeria through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with hosts Morocco.
Osimhene headed home Bruno Onyemachi’s long cross from the left two minutes into the second half on Saturday after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane made an awkward dive to save an effort, but his angle was wrong and he conceded an easy goal.
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Adams extended Nigeria’s lead 10 minutes later as Osimhen unselfishly fed him the ball and rounded Zidane before slotting into an empty net.
It was an impressive performance from Nigeria, who missed out on World Cup qualification two months ago, as they overwhelmed their opponents from the start at the Grand Stade de Marrakesh, more determined, quicker around the field and stronger in challenges, denying their opponents a single goal.
Algeria were already in the thick of things in the first half and Nigeria had good chances to go ahead at the break.
Ademola Lookman’s free-kick was misjudged by Zidane, Algeria centre-back Rami Bensebaini cleared the line from Calvin Bassey in the 29th minute and the Nigeria full-back headed home from a tight angle.
Bensebaini clarified this, although television replays showed the entire circumference of the ball had crossed the line. A VAR check in the absence of goal line technology, however, failed to produce a single goal.
In the 37th minute, a poor clearance from Zidane to full-back Aisa Mandi was intercepted by Alex Iwobi who quickly laid the ball to Adams, but the Sevilla striker’s left-footed effort missed the target only to beat the goalkeeper.
Adams headed straight in the 82nd minute as Osimhene’s enterprise and persistence gave him a clear chance again.
was Algeria Forced to play extra time Ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo, many of their key players performed without a list. Nigeria, on the other hand, cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Mozambique on Monday.
Nigeria, who have reached the last four 17 times in the last 20 tournaments, will face Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday in the semi-finals.
Super Eagles, whose report was far from ideal preparation Bonuses are not paidThey will face hosts Morocco in the second semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.
Defending champions Ivory Coast face seven-time champions Egypt in Agadir on Saturday for a place in the first semi-final against Senegal.