Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen turned from predator to provider on Saturday night in a man-of-the-match performance as Nigeria overpowered Algeria 2-0 to reach the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria started the game on a bright note, charging and forcing the North African side into early misplaced passes alongside with more purpose but could not fashion an early breakthrough that will trouble Zidane.
And after coping with the early storm, Algeria’s midfield began to enjoy more possession. But they could not string the passes together to create danger.
Nigeria maintained their early dominance and were unlucky not to open the score in the 28th minute as Algeria defender Rami Bensebaini had to hack the ball off the line after Calvin Bassey’s flick had gone past the Algeria goalkeeper, Luca Zidane.
Six minutes later, Nigeria came knocking again. This time Alex Iwobi slid a ball through to Akor Adams but with only Zidane to beat, Adams scooped his shot over the crossbar.
The super eagles’ finesse start to the second half saw Osimhen broke the deadlock just two minutes to the start of the second half, Bruno Onyemaechi floated over a cross and the 27 Year-old rose highest above his marker to head past Zidane.
Ten minutes after the breakthrough, Iwobi gained a revelling amount of space, played a ball through to Osimhen who surged into the box and shaped to shoot but instead squared for the unmarked Adams.
This time, the Sevilla striker kept his composure to walk the ball around Zidane and tap into the unguarded net.
Tactical switch and reconfiguration from Algeria coach renewed Algeria’s nerve and verve. But it was Nigeria who nearly added a third. Osimhen surged down the right and crossed for Adams whose header hit the post.
Even with that reprieve, Algeria failed to find the goal to make Nigeria sweat and the 2023 runners-up marched on with a second consecutive clean sheet.
On 14 January, they will take on Morocco who overpowered Cameroon on Friday night at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
