Algerian Radio
Algeria's national football team was eliminated this Saturday evening from the quarter-final stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
This came after The Greens' defeat by two goals to nil against Nigeria's Super Eagles in the quarter-final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Greens started the match with the following lineup: Zidane – Belghali – Ait Nouri – Mandi – Bensebaini – Zerrouki – Boudawi – Maza – Mahrez – Chaibi – Amoura.
The match began with a direct Nigerian free-kick which Ajayi finished with a header wide of Zidane's goal (2nd minute).
In a match officiated by Senegalese referee Issa Sy, the latter avoided awarding two fouls committed on Boudawi (4th minute) and then Maza (5th minute).
After an intervention from Ait Nouri and the Super Eagles' first corner, The Greens were awarded their first free-kick after six minutes.
Mandi prevented an attack led by the 'Fox' Osimhen (7th minute) from materializing, while Nigerian pressure continued without any reaction from The Greens.
The match referee continued to deny Algeria fouls, such as the one committed on Maza (10th minute), which prompted Petkovic's protest.
After The Greens' first attack led by Amoura, Zerrouki received a yellow card after fouling Lookman (15th minute).
Issa Sy denied The Greens a legitimate penalty after Osayi blocked Chaibi's cross with his left hand, and VAR remained silent!!!
The match continued with clear Nigerian pressure (7 attacks) compared to four for The Greens, at a time when Amoura appeared isolated and Chaibi was lacking impact.
Issa Sy continued his favoritism towards the Super Eagles, as he refrained from cautioning Onyemaechi despite his foul on Mahrez on the right (21st minute).
Luca Zidane was effective with a brilliant save following a shot from Lookman (23rd minute).
Ait Nouri and Zidane once again cleared the danger from Osimhen (25th minute).
The Algerians waited 26 minutes to threaten Nwabali's goal, through Belghali who squandered the opportunity.
Issa Sy showed no leniency towards Amoura and booked him (27th minute), despite the fact that he reportedly did not touch Osayi.
Boudawi saved his goal from a goal-line effort (28th minute), amidst Issa Sy's consultation with VAR regarding the validity of the goal.
The match was paused for several moments after half an hour of play, after Zidane went down, while 'Schall's' squad continued to dominate possession.
The first half continued with Nigerian fouls not awarded by Sy, such as the one committed on Ait Nouri (35th minute).
Mandi almost gifted Adams a 'free' goal, were it not for his shot which went just over Zidane's crossbar (37th minute).
Maza put in a tremendous effort that Chaibi failed to capitalize on (39th minute), at a time when Nigerian possession reached around 62 percent.
Ait Nouri settled for a long pass that didn't trouble Nwabali (40th minute), and the full-back, reminiscent of a 'Man City' style player, opted for excessive dribbling instead of passing to the unmarked Mahrez (41st minute).
At the start of the second half, Osimhen, finding himself unmarked, snatched the opening goal (47th minute), a logical consequence of the Super Eagles' pressure.
Following a lost ball by Maza, Nigeria scored a second goal, credited to Adams (57th minute).
In an attempt to recover, Petkovic brought on Hadj Moussa, Bounedjah, and Boulbina, replacing Zerrouki, Maza, and Mahrez.
The subsequent minutes saw Ait Nouri's frustration following a reckless tackle by Osayi (63rd minute).
Ndidi, Mahrez's former teammate at English club Leicester, received a yellow card after delaying his exit (67th minute).
After Bassey thwarted Amoura's run, the link-up play between Bounedjah and Boulbina allowed for pressure to be built on the Super Eagles' defense (65th minute).
It was then Hadj Moussa's turn to receive a yellow card (68th minute), while Zidane calmly saved a free-kick taken by Lookman (70th minute).
Issa Sy saw no problem in not cautioning Onyemaechi despite his violent tackle on Hadj Moussa, but he did award Boudawi a yellow card (75th minute).
The last fifteen minutes saw nothing noteworthy, as Boulbina's teammates became disorganized and gave the impression of an early surrender.
In his first official appearance with the senior national team, Berkan replaced Amoura, and Petkovic also brought on Abdi for Boudawi.
The post denied Adams a third goal, sparing Luca Zidane (81st minute). In contrast, Hadj Moussa continued to make simple decisions with the ball instead of passing effectively.
Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali received a yellow card for time-wasting, coinciding with Nigeria maintaining their possession (60%).
The match ended with a pale performance from the Desert Warriors, who lacked presence and effectiveness, months before their 2026 World Cup campaign.
