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Nigeria vs Algeria 2-0: AFCON 2025 quarterfinal – as it happened

All the updates as Victor Osimhen and Akor ‍Adams ‍grab second-half goals to put Nigeria through to play Morocco.

By Patrick Keddie and Rohan Sharma
Published On 10 Jan 202610 Jan 2026

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This page is now closed, but a summary of the game is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.

  • Strikers Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams scored second-half goals as Nigeria earned a dominant 2-0 victory over Algeria in their Africa Cup of ⁠Nations quarterfinal to set up a meeting with hosts Morocco in the last four.
  • Osimhen steered home a long 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 around Zidane before placing it into an empty ‌net.
  • It was an impressive performance by Nigeria, who ‌two months ago missed out ⁠on World Cup qualification, as they overwhelmed their opponents from the start at the Grand Stade de ‌Marrakech, looking more determined, quicker around the field and stronger in the challenges, and denying their opponents a single scoring chance.

Keep up to date: Follow Al Jazeera Sport on our website and on X for the latest news, features and live events from around the globe.

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:31
     (18:31 GMT)

    That’s a wrap

    Nigeria power their way into the final four, where they will face hosts Morocco in the capital Rabat on January 14.

    Senegal await the winners of Egypt and Ivory Coast, which is set to kick off in just under an hour’s time in Agadir.

    We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this pulsating match, and on behalf of Patrick Keddie, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

    Semifinal 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/d7f1mUxHlv

    — 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 10, 2026

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:27
     (18:27 GMT)

    Undefeated

    1 – Nigeria at #AFCON2025

    💯Only team to win all their games (5/5)
    ⚽️Best goal difference (+10)

    Soaring. pic.twitter.com/3P8KTi7838

    — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2026

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:22
     (18:22 GMT)

    Too little, too late

    80 – Algeria’s first shot against Nigeria came in the 80th minute, a long distance attempt by Baghdad Bounedjah. Struggle. pic.twitter.com/uCwIJ7mGYS

    — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2026

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  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:17
     (18:17 GMT)

    Nigeria into the semis

    Semi-Finalists | Nigeria 🇳🇬

    The Super Eagles are into the final four of the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/zBZh0rdyo0

    — TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:12
     (18:12 GMT)

    Next up for Al Jazeera Sport

    We have a real heavyweight battle for you good folks tomorrow.

    Powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare to do battle in the Spanish Super Cup final at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    Our live blog kicks off at 17:00 GMT, so make sure to tune in.

    ⏩ NEXT MATCH
    🆚 @FCBarcelona
    🗓 11/01 | 20:00 CET pic.twitter.com/9sy008jJl7

    — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 9, 2026

     

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:07
     (18:07 GMT)

    What are the upcoming AFCON matches?

    Quarterfinals

    January 10

    Egypt vs Ivory Coast (Adrar Stadium, 8pm local/19:00 GMT)

    Rest days on January 11, 12 and 13

    Semifinals

    January 14

    Senegal vs Egypt/Ivory Coast (Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)

    Morocco vs Nigeria (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 9pm/20:00 GMT)

    Rest days on January 15 and 16

    The full match schedule, groups and format can be found here.

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:02
     (18:02 GMT)

    Dominant Nigeria into the semifinals

    After thoroughly outplaying their counterparts, the Super Eagles deservedly book their place in the final four.

    They ruled the relevant statistics, managing 12 shots compared to Algeria’s two. More crucially, they had five shots on target, while the Desert Foxes couldn’t even muster one.

    Their talisman, Osimhen, played a significant role, scoring the opening goal before assisting Adams’s goal to put Nigeria firmly in control of the contest.

    Full-time: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

    FULL-TIME! 🇩🇿🇳🇬

    Nigeria win it 2–0 against Algeria.#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/jeO3Z7oDKc

    — TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 18:00
     (18:00 GMT)

    Full-time: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria

    The Super Eagles book their semifinal spot against Morocco on January 14!

    Full-time: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:59
     (17:59 GMT)

    Fractious ending

    Some of the Algerian players are getting into it with Nigeria.

    It is an unfortunate end to what has been a relatively good-natured contest over all.

    It is more frustration from the Desert Foxes with the writing on the wall.

    90+9 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

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  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:56
     (17:56 GMT)

    Nigeria make final substitution

    Igoh Ogbu is introduced in the final minutes, with Osimhen walking off to much acclaim.

    90+6 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:54
     (17:54 GMT)

    Nwabali down

    The Desert Foxes have had more of the ball as Nigeria are content to sit back.

    Nwabali looks to have hurt himself though after making contact with an advancing Berkane.

    The Nigerian keeper is slow to get up though, as the medical staff rush out to tend to him.

    90+4 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:51
     (17:51 GMT)

    Six minutes added

    Algeria have precious little time now to force an unlikely comeback.

    90 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

    Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle speaks to Nigeria's forward #09 Victor Osimhen during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match between Algeria and Nigeria at the Grand stadium in Marrakesh on January 10, 2026.
    Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle gives some instructions to Osimhen [AFP]
  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:48
     (17:48 GMT)

    Double change for Nigeria

    Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Chidozie Awaziem are brought on for Lookman and Adams, who have been magnificent tonight.

    Nigeria will now look to manage the clock and see this one out.

    87 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:45
     (17:45 GMT)

    Algeria win corner

    It is flighted in from the left side into the box, but the ball ends up being booted out for a Nigerian goal kick.

    About a few minutes back, Algeria made some more changes, as Himad Abdelli and Redouane Berkane are brought on for Boudaoui and Amoura.

    84 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:44
     (17:44 GMT)

    Adams hits the post!

    Nigeria want a third in Marrakesh. It looks like they have it as they launch another offensive.

    Osimhen rushes in from the right side, and despite losing the ball, he is able to slide a cross by the near post over to Adams on his left.

    The forward tries to head the ball towards the far post, but ends up finding the post itself, with the ball ricocheting dangerously back towards him. He tries another swipe, but is unable to make any meaningful contact.

    Algeria got away with that one, but will it matter at this stage?

    82 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:41
     (17:41 GMT)

    Bounedjah tries his luck

    The midfielder sends a searing shot from range towards goal, but the ball sails over the crossbar.

    80 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:40
     (17:40 GMT)

    Adams header goes over

    Onyemaechi has been busy on that left flank. He crosses a hopeful ball into the box, which Adams latches onto.

    But with his marker at hand, all the forward can do is loop his header over the bar.

    80 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

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  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:37
     (17:37 GMT)

    Time running out for Desert Foxes

    With less than 15 minutes to go, Algeria’s hopes of a semifinal berth look extremely slim.

    77 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

    Algeria's forward #7 Riyad Mahrez reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match between Algeria and Nigeria at the Grand stadium in Marrakesh on January 10, 2026.
    Mahrez and Amoura look despondent as the match slips away [AFP]
  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:35
     (17:35 GMT)

    Hadj-Moussa hurt

    After clashing with Onyemaechi by the left touchline, the Algerian grimaces in pain, but is soon able to continue.

    74 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

  • live-orange
    10 Jan 2026 - 17:31
     (17:31 GMT)

    Nigeria win free kick

    It is from outside the box on the left side, about 20 metres out.

    The ball is floated to the far side of the box, before a header back into the goal area is intercepted by Zidane, ending the sequence conclusively.

    71 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria  

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