All eight teams still standing are Africa’s top-ranked sides according to the latest FIFA World Rankings. Algeria currently sit 34th in the world and third on the continent, while Nigeria are ranked 38th globally and fifth in Africa, underlining just how finely balanced this showdown promises to be.
Despite early exits in the last two AFCON tournaments, Algeria arrived in Morocco as one of the pre-tournament favourites, and the 2019 champions have backed up that billing so far. Under Vladimir Petkovic, the Desert Warriors cruised through the group stage with three wins from three, scoring seven goals and conceding just once against Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
Their round-of-16 meeting with DR Congo proved far more demanding, but Algeria delivered when it mattered most. After a tense contest, Adil Boulbina struck in the 119th minute of extra time to seal a dramatic 1–0 victory and book their place in the last eight.
That result extended Algeria’s strong recent form, with 11 wins from their last 14 matches in all competitions. The only blemish in that run came via a penalty shoot-out defeat to the United Arab Emirates in the FIFA Arab Cup. Still, history offers a note of caution, as the Desert Warriors have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in four of their last six AFCON knockout appearances.
Nigeria, by contrast, are no strangers to deep runs at this tournament. The Super Eagles have reached at least the semi-finals in 15 of their 20 AFCON appearances, including finishing runners-up at the last edition. After that near miss, compounded by failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, lifting the trophy would be a timely boost, and Eric Chelle’s side have looked sharp in pursuit of that goal.
Nigeria have won all four of their matches so far, scoring a tournament-high 12 goals while conceding four. Their round-of-16 clash with Mozambique delivered their first clean sheet, as they swept aside their opponents 4–0, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice alongside goals from Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.
That win was briefly marred by an on-pitch altercation involving Osimhen, Lookman and Bruno Onyemaechi, but reports suggest the issue has been resolved ahead of a stern test against familiar rivals.
Recent history favours Algeria, with Nigeria winless in their last four meetings between the sides. The Super Eagles have lost the last three, including a 2–1 defeat in the 2019 AFCON semi-finals, while the other two setbacks came in friendly matches in 2020 and 2022.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Algeria are keeping a close eye on Ismael Bennacer after the midfielder was forced off during the win over DR Congo, leaving his involvement in the quarter-final uncertain.There is more positive news elsewhere, with Jaouen Hadjam in line to return after missing the last two matches due to the injury he picked up against Burkina Faso. Reports suggest he only needed around a week to recover. However, Anis Hadj Moussa is expected to miss the rest of the tournament as he continues to struggle with fitness issues.
Adil Boulbina is making a strong case for a place in the starting lineup after his match-winning goal last time out, while Riyad Mahrez remains firmly in the Golden Boot race. The Algeria captain has scored three times so far, just one behind Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.
For Nigeria, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen are also on three goals each, with Alexander Iwobi set to play a key role in providing creativity from midfield.
The Super Eagles appear to have a clean bill of health, which should allow Eric Chelle to stick with his favoured 4-4-2 diamond and name an unchanged side from the wins over Mozambique and Tunisia.
Stanley Nwabali is expected to continue in goal, protected by a back line of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi. Captain Wilfred Ndidi will anchor the midfield, with Frank Onyeka likely to feature on the right and Lookman supporting a strike partnership of Osimhen and Akor Adams.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Algeria possible starting lineup:Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait Nouri; Boudaoui, Zerrouki, Chaibi; Mahrez, Amoura, Maza
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi; Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
EXPERT PREDICTION
Algeria 2-3 Nigeria
This promises to be a closely fought encounter between the only two teams to have won all four of their matches so far, with the tournament’s strongest defence going up against its most potent attack.
Both sides look capable of scoring, but Nigeria’s attacking quality may ultimately make the difference. For that reason, the Super Eagles are tipped to come through with a narrow win.
𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗙𝗙! The referee of the Algeria–Nigeria match had to be ESCORTED off the pitch after full-time. 
