Tag: AFCON

Morocco 2025: Eagles, Fennecs Clash In Marrakech Pick of Last-8

By Dianabasi Effiong

Saturday’s third quarter-final of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) remains the pick of the last-8 clashes as Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Fennecs of Algeria clash for the 23rd time at senior level.

Their first encounter was at the 2nd All-Africa Games in Lagos 55 years ago.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), games between both teams over the past five-and-a-half decades have been laced with thrills and frills, shocking scorelines, drama, end-game flips, stunning comebacks, awesome performances by star players, and a bit of infamy.

The encounter in Marrakech will be the 10th time that both countries will clash in Africa’s biggest football championship, with Nigeria having won only three of the previous nine duels. Algeria have won four, and the other two have ended in stalemates.

One stalemate was the infamous clash of Bouake in 1984, when both teams were suspected to have ‘reached an accord’ to play a scoreless draw in order for both teams to qualify to the semi-finals, and get Cup holders Ghana eliminated.

Nigeria defeated Algeria to win their first AFCON trophy on home soil in 1980, and 10 years later, Algeria defeated Nigeria to win their first AFCON on home soil!

Marrakechi, Morocco’s fourth largest city, is set to host a massive showdown that will create its own story as a chapter in the book of one of African football’s greatest rivalries.

FIFA World Cup Do-Me-I -Do-You

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (10 October 1981): The highest-stakes confrontations between Nigeria and Algeria have been in FIFA World Cup qualifying series, starting with the shocking defeat of then reigning African champions Nigeria by the Fennecs in Lagos in October 1981.

Before the match, a couple of decisions by the NFA (including an increase in match ticket prices) did not go down well with the players. A couple of retired players were brought back to the team, creating discontent and disharmony. Algeria ran away with a 2-0 win, both goals scored in the first half.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (30 October 1981): In Constantine three weeks later, not much could be rescued. The Eagles lost 1-2 and crashed out of the race.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (03 July 1993):Visitors Algeria raced to an early lead through striker Abdelhafid Tasfaout, but Nigeria clawed their way back starting with Jay Jay Okocha’s free-kick, and an imperious Rashidi Yekini display, to win 4-1.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (08 Oct 1993):Algeria fought hard to stop Nigeria’s bid for a first-ever FIFA World Cup ticket, but failed. Finidi George’s first-half goal was enough for a 1-1 finish and Nigeria’s ticket to USA 1994 was assured.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (03 July 2004):Joseph Yobo rose above everyone else at the far post to score Nigeria’s only goal in Abuja in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (04 Sep 2005):Nigeria needed to win to stabilize their campaign, and in the event, ran the Fennecs off the park on a cold night in Oran. Obafemi Martins (a brace), John Utaka, Christian Obodo, and Ayo Makinwa were the scorers as the Eagles won 5-2.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (12 Nov 2016):Algeria arrived in Uyo thinking they would go back with the three points, but the relentless Super Eagles claimed a terrific 3-1 win, with a memorable performance by Victor Moses.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (10 Nov 2017):Nigeria had already qualified for the FIFA World Cup before this match, but it was still a well-contested game in Constantine that ended 1-1. The result was overturned after Nigeria was found to have fielded an ineligible player, and Algeria declared 3-0 winners.

AFCON Blocades

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (22 Mar 1980):Two goals by Olusegun Odegbami, one by Mudashiru Lawal, and Nigeria lifted the AFCON trophy for the first time. The venue was the National Stadium, Surulere, and the match was attended by President Shehu Shagari and a number of cabinet ministers.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (10 Mar 1982):Defending champions Nigeria took the lead through Emmanuel Osigwe, but the Fennecs rallied back with an equalizer late in the first half, and then scored early in the second period to achieve victory.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (11 Mar 1984):The match referee had to give both teams a yellow card as they made no genuine attempt to score, with fans believing they had ‘reached an accord’ to settle for a scoreless draw and progress to the last 4 at the expense of Cup holders Ghana. It ended 0-0, and both made it to the semi-finals, where Nigeria edged out Egypt on a penalty shootout, and Algeria lost to eventual winners Cameroon.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (23 Mar 1988):Sam Okwaraji’s shot was deflected into the net for Nigeria’s goal before Algeria equalized. Nigeria finished with 10 men following Ademola Adeshina’s red card, but went on to win the match in a sudden-death penalty shootout.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (02 March 1990): Hosts Algeria got their biggest-ever win over Nigeria in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The goals came from Rabah Madjer and teammates, before Emma Okocha pulled one back for Nigeria.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (16 Mar 1990):Two weeks later, Algeria lifted their first AFCON title following a 1-0 over Nigeria in the final, Cherif Oudjani making hay with a long-range shot that beat goalkeeper Alloy Agu.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (21 Jan 2002):Nigeria had the upper hand all through, and picked the maximum three points at the 26 March Stadium in Bamako thanks to a goal by Julius Aghahowa.

NIGERIA VS ALGERIA (30 Jan 2010):Nigeria again won by the odd goal in the third-place match of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola, following a goal by Obinna Nsofor after excellent work by Nwankwo Kanu.

ALGERIA VS NIGERIA (14 Jul 2019): Riyad Mahrez was the hero as the Super Eagles fell 1-2 in a tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match at the Cairo International Stadium.

January 9, 2026
AFCON 2025: Old guard endures as new stars rise in group-stage spotlight

The group stage of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 has reaffirmed African football’s enduring balance between proven greatness and emerging ambition.

Across six groups and 24 matches, decorated African Footballers of the Year and rising talents shaped results, lifted performances and fuelled debate over the continent’s next individual superstar.

With 87 goals scored before the knockout rounds, established winners again delivered decisive moments, even as younger players announced themselves with authority and composure.

For Senegal, Sadio Mané, African Footballer of the Year in 2019 and 2022, blended leadership with efficiency throughout the group stage.

Mané’s goal, complemented by two strikes from Nicolas Jackson, helped the Teranga Lions top Group D and underlined his lasting influence on the biggest stage.

Algeria’s surge was inspired by Riyad Mahrez, the 2016 African Footballer of the Year, who dominated the group phase with authority.

Mahrez scored three goals, including a brace against Sudan and a vital strike versus Burkina Faso, as the Desert Foxes cruised to first place in Group E.

Egypt relied heavily on Mohamed Salah, African Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2018, to steer them through tense group encounters.

Salah struck twice, netting a dramatic late winner against Zimbabwe before scoring the decisive goal against South Africa to secure top spot in Group B.

In spite of Gabon’s early exit, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, African Footballer of the Year in 2015, showed his predatory instincts remain sharp with a group-stage goal.

Hosts Morocco welcomed back Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Footballer of the Year, who returned from injury on matchday three.

Hakimi’s presence added defensive assurance and attacking thrust as the Atlas Lions negotiated a demanding group campaign.

Nigeria’s challenge was driven by Ademola Lookman, the 2024 African Footballer of the Year, whose influence was felt throughout the group stage.

Lookman contributed two goals and two assists, including a match-winning display against Tunisia that earned him the Man of the Match award.

The Super Eagles also drew strength from Victor Osimhen, African Footballer of the Year in 2023.

Osimhen’s goal against Tunisia reinforced his reputation as a decisive performer in high-pressure situations.

Côte d’Ivoire’s attacking spark came from Amad Diallo, who scored twice during the group stage.

Diallo’s pace, vision and composure were highlighted by a decisive winner against Mozambique that proved crucial to Ivorian progress.

Cameroon found creativity and goals through Bryan Mbeumo, whose movement and finishing unsettled defences across the group phase.

Nigeria’s midfield balance was quietly shaped by Raphael Onyedika, who dictated tempo and enabled smooth attacking transitions.

As AFCON 2025 enters the knockout rounds, the group stage has set a compelling narrative of continuity and change.

Former African Footballers of the Year — Mané, Mahrez, Salah, Aubameyang and Hakimi — continue to shape matches with authority and composure.

Simultaneously, emerging talents such as Diallo, Mbeumo and Onyedika have signalled readiness to inherit the continental spotlight.

The knockout phase will test whether experience or youthful momentum prevails — and may ultimately point toward Africa’s next Footballer of the Year.

January 3, 2026
AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco: teams and players to watch

The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, with a total of 24 teams playing in the continent’s main international men’s competition.

AFCON 2025’s mascot, Assad, readies to welcome supporters from all over the continent for the tournament [Getty/file photo]

The 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday and is set to be an almost month-long celebration of African football, bringing together some of the continent’s biggest talents.

The tournament will run from 21 December to 18 January and will be hosted by Morocco. Matches will be played across Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech and Tangier, with the final taking place at the newly renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital. The stadium has a capacity of 69,500 seats.

This year’s AFCON is the first to be held over the Christmas and New Year period. It will also mark the second time Morocco has hosted the competition, having previously done so in 1988.

Morocco will be under close scrutiny during the tournament. Earlier this year, Gen Z-led protests criticised the government’s heavy spending on AFCON preparations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, urging authorities to prioritise domestic issues such as healthcare, youth unemployment and education.

(Mo Salah has yet to win a trophy with Egypt, and will look to go one step further after finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2021)

Concerns were also raised over the tournament’s organisation, but in October the Confederation of African Football confirmed that Morocco would remain the host nation.

Basma El Atti

What is AFCON?

The Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s premier international men’s football tournament and is held every two years.

The inaugural edition took place in Sudan in 1957, with just three teams participating. The competition expanded rapidly and has been held biennially since 1968.

Egypt are the most successful nation in AFCON history, having won the title seven times.

From 2028, the tournament will shift to a four-year cycle and return to even-numbered years.

Who is playing?

Hosts Morocco will face Comoros in the opening match on Sunday, and are grouped with Mali and Zambia in Group A.

Group B features Egypt, Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Group C includes Tunisia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

Group D consists of Senegal, DR Congo, Botswana and Benin, while Group E includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan.

Group F rounds out the competition with the Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon and Mozambique.

Workers adding the finishing touches to the fan zone areas as AFCON 2025 kicks off in Morocco on Sunday [Getty]

Who are the teams to watch?

All eyes will be on Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, whose squad includes stars playing at Europe’s top clubs. The Atlas Lions, Africa’s highest-ranked team, will be expected to go deep into the tournament as hosts, despite pressure to improve on a disappointing showing in 2023 and to deliver silverware given their standing in world football.

Despite their pedigree, Morocco have won AFCON just once, in 1976.

Expectations will also be high for reigning champions Ivory Coast, as well as traditional powerhouses Nigeria, Senegal and Egypt. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will be hoping to end a 15-year wait for international silverware.

South Africa and DR Congo are viewed as potential dark horses, while Cameroon, Algeria and Tunisia are also expected to perform strongly.

Who are the players to watch?

Africa’s top footballing talent will be on display, from established stars to rising prospects.

For Morocco, Achraf Hakimi is the standout figure, having won multiple domestic and European titles with Paris Saint-Germain last season and scoring in the Champions League final. He also finished sixth in this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, the highest-ever placing for a Moroccan player.

Mo Salah has yet to win a trophy with Egypt, and will look to go one step further after finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2021 [Getty]

Other Moroccan players to watch include Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannous, currently on loan at VfB Stuttgart from Leicester City.

Mohamed Salah will once again carry Egypt’s hopes. Widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest players and a Liverpool legend, Salah is still chasing his first major international trophy after finishing runner-up at AFCON in 2017 and 2021.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen enters the tournament in outstanding form with Galatasaray, scoring freely in the Turkish Super Lig. He is six goals away from surpassing Rashidi Yekini as the Super Eagles’ all-time leading scorer.

Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo, who joined Manchester United this summer after six strong seasons with Brentford, will be playing his first AFCON and is expected to play a key role.

Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, another Manchester United player, returns to the tournament after missing the 2023 edition through injury and will be eager to impress as the defending champions seek to retain their title.

Other notable names include Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who continues to perform at a high level at Marseille at the age of 36, and Senegal veteran Sadio Mane, who brings experience to the Teranga Lions.

December 21, 2025