By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

Two of Africa’s most storied football nations will lock horns when Nigeria face Algeria in a blockbuster quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations. The battle is underlined by rich history, rivalry and high stakes.

Set against the Moroccan backdrop, the clash brings together contrasting narratives: Nigeria’s steady, game-by-game rise at the tournament and Algeria’s determination to reclaim continental supremacy after past glory.

Nigeria arrived at the last-eight stage with growing confidence and a sense of quiet authority. The Super Eagles have evolved as the tournament has progressed, combining tactical discipline with increasing attacking fluency.

At the heart of that improvement has been the influence of Ademola Lookman, whose pace, movement and finishing have lit up Nigeria’s forward play, and Victor Osimhen, the relentless spearhead whose presence alone unsettles opposing defences.

Defensively, Nigeria have shown resilience and organisation, limiting chances and growing more compact with each outing.

The balance between control and directness has given the Super Eagles a sense of purpose — a team that looks increasingly comfortable with the demands of knockout football.

For Algeria, this quarter-final represents both opportunity and obligation. The Desert Foxes, champions in 2019, carry the weight of expectation that accompanies pedigree. Their journey through the tournament has been measured rather than spectacular, but experience often proves decisive at this stage.

Algeria’s strength lies in their technical quality and tactical intelligence, marshalled by leaders such as Riyad Mahrez, whose creativity and calm in decisive moments remain invaluable. When Algeria click, they are capable of controlling games through possession, tempo and precision — qualities that can frustrate and eventually unpick even the most disciplined opponents.

A Rivalry Renewed

Meetings between Nigeria and Algeria rarely disappoint. Past encounters at AFCON and World Cup level have produced drama, fine margins and memorable moments, reinforcing the sense that this is a fixture befitting a final rather than a quarter-final.

This time, the stakes are unmistakable. Victory will propel one side into the semi-finals and within touching distance of continental glory. Defeat will invite searching questions and the abrupt end of ambition.

Expect a tactical duel shaped by moments of individual brilliance. Nigeria may look to impose intensity and vertical play, pressing high and attacking with speed, while Algeria are likely to seek control through possession and calculated build-up.

Set-pieces, discipline and decision-making in critical moments could prove decisive. In a match where quality abounds on both sides, patience may be as important as passion.

As the floodlights come on and the tension rises, one certainty stands out: when Nigeria and Algeria meet at AFCON, history is never far away — and another chapter is about to be written

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Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal as Senegal beat 10-man Mali 1-0 on Friday to book a semi-final berth at the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in the last four tournaments.

Ndiaye netted after 27 minutes, taking advantage of a goalkeeping howler to put Senegal ahead in a tense quarter-final against their west African neighbours.

Mali were reduced to 10 men for the second half after captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second caution on the stroke of halftime. He was booked first for a clumsy challenge in the 25th minute and was dismissed after a needless foul on Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Mali were down to 10 men from the 26th minute of their previous clash against Tunisia and still managed to squeeze through on penalties but there was no recovery this time around against a polished Senegalese outfit.

Ndiaye started the move that led to his goal with a run down the right wing, passing to wing back Krepin Diatta who then squared into the penalty area.

Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra looked to have cut off the effort but the ball slipped from his grasp and squeezed under his body.

Ndiaye was quickest to snap up the loose ball and finished from close-in.

Diarra more than made up for his horror error, however, with a series of fine second-half stops to deny Senegal a bigger advantage as a gallant Mali battled away to get back into the contest.

MALI GOALKEEPER MADE KEY STOPS

Diarra made excellent diving saves and palmed away stinging shots to deny Idrissa Gana Gueye, Sadio Mane and substitutes Pathe Ciss and Lamine Camara.

Mali had a handful of half-chances in the second half but were mainly on the back foot with hard-working striker Lassine Sinayoko an outlet for a rare counter-attack, which kept Edouard Mendy in Senegal’s goal on his toes.

“It was not an easy match because we played against a very talented Mali team but we achieved our objective,” said Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw.

“If we had been more clinical in front of goal we could have scored more goals but what is more important today is for us to have qualified for the semi-final.”

His Mali counterpart Tom Saintfiet paid tribute to his side. “It was a difficult match for us because we had to play large parts of the game with 10 men. But that doesn’t take away the fact that my players played gallantly and played very well,” he said.

Senegal will take on the winner of Saturday’s clash between Egypt and defending champions Cote d’Ivoire.

Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

Cameroon’s long-standing reputation as the nemesis of Africa Cup of Nations host nations came to an emphatic end on Friday night as Morocco’s national football team powered into the semi-finals with a commanding 2–0 victory over Cameroon’s national football team in Rabat.

Since 1984, Cameroon had beaten every AFCON host they encountered — with Egypt in 1986 the lone exception — earning a fearsome tag as the tournament’s ultimate party-poopers.

That aura dissolved inside a raucous, sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the Atlas Lions delivered a performance rich in authority, intensity and belief.

Goals in either half from Brahim Díaz and Ismail Saibari sealed a landmark triumph for the hosts, who had come into the quarter-final under scrutiny following an unconvincing Round of 16 win over Tanzania.

Driven on by a deafening home crowd, Morocco seized control from the opening whistle, pressing high and monopolising possession as Cameroon were pinned deep in their own half. The pressure told in the 26th minute when Díaz struck for the fifth time in the tournament, deftly guiding the ball into the net with his thigh after Ayoub El Kaabi flicked on a corner delivered by captain Achraf Hakimi.

It was Morocco’s sixth corner inside the opening 25 minutes and underlined their relentless start. The goal also carried historic significance, as Díaz became just the second player in AFCON history — after Osei Kofi — to score in five consecutive matches at the finals.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Atlas Lions continued to dictate the tempo and came close to doubling their advantage before the interval when Abde Ezzalzouli released El Kaabi on a swift counter-attack, only for the striker to find the side netting from close range.

Cameroon returned after the break with greater urgency, but their renewed attacking intent was blunted by a disciplined and well-organised Moroccan defence. Their best chance fell from a set-piece, when Georges-Kevin N’Koudou met a corner with a diving header that drifted wide.

With 15 minutes remaining, Morocco struck the decisive blow. From an Ezzalzouli free-kick, Nayef Aguerd’s clever touch found Saibari unmarked at the back post, and the midfielder calmly swept a low finish into the bottom corner to send the stadium into raptures.

At 2–0, and with belief coursing through the stands, Morocco were firmly in control. Cameroon could find no response as their hopes faded, while the hosts closed out a famous night in Rabat with composure — and a victory that not only propelled them into the semi-finals but finally ended a long-standing AFCON hoodoo against the Indomitable Lions.

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