AFCON
Nigeria–Algeria: A Rivalry Told in Results and Turning Points
By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca
As Nigeria and Algeria prepare for another high-stakes meeting, their long and eventful rivalry offers a rich statistical and historical backdrop, stretching back more than five decades across Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), World Cup qualifiers, Olympic qualifiers, friendlies and continental games.
The first recorded clash between Nigeria and Algeria came at the African Games in Lagos on 10 January 1973, ending in a 2–2 draw. Five years later, Algeria edged Nigeria 1–0 at the African Games in Algiers, setting the tone for a rivalry often defined by narrow margins.
One of the most significant moments arrived on 22 March 1980, when Nigeria defeated Algeria 3–0 in Lagos to lift their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, a landmark victory that remains etched in Nigerian football history. Algeria, however, responded decisively in the early 1980s, beating Nigeria home and away in the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifying series—2–0 in Lagos and 2–1 in Constantine—to secure their maiden World Cup appearance.
AFCON meetings between the two sides have been frequent and dramatic. Algeria claimed a 2–1 win in Benghazi in 1982 and were later involved in the infamous goalless draw in Bouaké in 1984. In 1988, both nations crossed paths three times in quick succession—Olympic qualifiers home and away, and an AFCON semi-final in Rabat that ended 2–2 before Nigeria edged a marathon penalty shoot-out 9–8.
The rivalry reached another peak in Algiers in 1990. Algeria hammered Nigeria 5–1 in the opening match of the tournament and went on to defeat the Super Eagles 1–0 in the final, securing their first AFCON title and completing a remarkable home triumph.
World Cup qualification encounters have repeatedly tied the destinies of both teams together. Nigeria’s 4–1 win in Lagos on 13 July 1993 and the crucial 1–1 draw in Algiers on 8 October 1993 sent the Super Eagles to their first World Cup, while Algeria again played the role of gatekeeper. In later years, Nigeria enjoyed memorable away successes, including a stunning 5–2 win in Oran in 2005.
Recent meetings underline how evenly balanced the contest remains. Nigeria recorded AFCON wins in Bamako in 2002 and Benguela in 2010, while Algeria knocked Nigeria out of AFCON 2019 in Cairo with a dramatic 2–1 semi-final victory. In World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria’s 3–1 win in Uyo in 2016 was followed by a 2017 draw in Constantine, later forfeited by Nigeria. Friendly encounters in Austria (2020) and Oran (2022) have both gone Algeria’s way.
From Lagos to Algiers, Constantine to Cairo, the numbers tell a story of shifting dominance, shared milestones and repeated intersections on the continental and global stage. As the two sides meet again, history suggests that Nigeria versus Algeria is rarely routine—and almost always significant.
Algeria vs Nigeria: Tale of the Tape
| Date | Competition, Venue | Scores |
| 10 January 1973 | African Games, Lagos | Nigeria 2-2 Algeria |
| 28 March 1978 | African Games, Algiers | Algeria 1-0 Nigeria |
| 22 March 1980 | AFCON, Lagos | Nigeria 3-0 Algeria |
| 10 October 1981 | World Cup qualifier, Lagos | Nigeria 0-2 Algeria |
| 30 October 1981 | World Cup qualifier, Constantine | Algeria 2-1 Nigeria |
| 10 March 1982 | AFCON, Benghazi | Algeria 2-1 Nigeria |
| 11 March 1984 | AFCON, Bouake | Algeria 0-0 Nigeria |
| 15 January 1988 | Olympic qualifier, Annaba | Algeria 1-0 Nigeria |
| 30 January 1988 | Olympic qualifier, Enugu | Nigeria 2-0 Algeria |
| 30 January 1988 | AFCON, Rabat | Nigeria 1-1 Algeria (8-9 pso) |
| 2 March 1990 | AFCON, Algiers | Algeria 5-1 Nigeria |
| 16 March 1990 | AFCON, Algiers | Algeria 1-0 Nigeria |
| 13 July 1993 | World Cup qualifier | Nigeria 4-1 Algeria |
| 8 October 1993 | World Cup qualifier, Algiers | Algeria 1-1 Nigeria |
| 21 January 2002 | AFCON, Bamako | Algeria 0-1 Nigeria |
| 3 July 2004 | World Cup, qualifier, Abuja | Nigeria 1-0 Algeria |
| 8 September 2005 | World Cup qualifier, Oran | Algeria 2-5 Nigeria |
| 30 January 2010 | AFCON, Benguela | Algeria 0-1 Nigeria |
| 12 November 2016 | World Cup qualifier, Uyo | Nigeria 3-1 Algeria |
| 10 November 2017 | World Cup qualifier, Constantine | Algeria 1-1 Nigeria. Result forfeited by Nigeria |
| 14 July 2019 | AFCON, Cairo | Algeria 2-1 Nigeria |
| 9 October 2020 | Friendly, St. Veit, Austria | Algeria 1-0 Nigeria |
| 27 October 2022 | Friendly, Oran | Algeria 2-1 Nigeria |
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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