Impressive Nigeria dumps Algeria out of AFCON
Strikers Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams grabbed second-half goals as Nigeria powered to a deserved 2-0 victory over Algeria in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final to set up a meeting with host Morocco in the last four.
Osimhen steered home a pinpoint cross from the left by Bruno Onyemaechi two minutes into the second half as Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane made a bizarre jump to try and stop the effort but ended up getting his angles wrong and conceding an easy goal.
Adams increased Nigeria’s lead 10 minutes later as Osimhen unselfishly fed him the ball and he took it round Zidane before placing it into an empty net.
It was an impressive performance by Nigeria, which two months ago missed out on FIFA World Cup qualification, and it overwhelmed its opponent from the start at Grand Stade de Marrakech, looking more determined, quicker around the field and stronger in the challenges, and denying Algeria a single scoring chance.
"The victory was deserved. The match was fantastic, and I am very happy with the win," Nigeria coach Eric Chelle said.
Algeria was already hanging on grimly in the first half with Nigeria having good chances to be ahead at the break.
Algeria centre back Ramy Bensebaini cleared off the line in the 29th minute from Calvin Bassey after the depth of Ademola Lookman’s free-kick was misjudged by Zidane and the Nigeria fullback was able to steer an effort goalward from a tight angle.
Bensebaini hooked it clear, although television replays looked to show the whole circumference of the ball had crossed the line. A video assistant referee (VAR) check in the absence of goalline technology, however, did not award a goal.
In the 37th minute, a poor clearance from Zidane to fullback Aissa Mandi was intercepted by Alex Iwobi who quickly fed the ball to Adams, but the Sevilla striker‘s left-footed effort missed the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Adams also headed against the upright in the 82nd minute as Osimhen’s enterprise and persistence again set him up with a clear chance.
Algeria had been forced to play extra-time before winning its Round of 16 clash against Democratic Republic of Congo in midweek and the exertion could have been the reason many of its key players turned in listless performances. In contrast, Nigeria had a comfortable 4-0 win over Mozambique in its previous match.
"I don’t want to go into too many details, but Nigeria was better," Algeria coach Victor Petkovic said.
"The Nigeria team showed the individual skills they possess, and physically we were behind. We tried to come back in the second half, but we couldn’t reach the level we needed in attack."
Nigeria, which has reached the last four 17 times in the past 20 tournaments it has qualified for, will take on Morocco in Rabat in the semi-finals next Thursday (AEDT).
