Nigeria remains on course at the Africa Cup of Nations and scores twice against Algeria in the quarter-finals. You could rely on what was probably the best attack of the tournament.
Nigeria’s national football team confidently advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Saturday. In the quarter-finals in Marrakesh, the “Super Eagles“The highly rated Algerians deserved 2-0 (0-0). After numerous wasted chances, top striker Victor Osimhen took the lead (47th minute) and prepared Akor Adams’ goal (57th).
Nigeria’s semi-final opponent is Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday at 9 p.m. The hosts beat Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria still dangerous to score
Algeria had won all of their group games, but the round of 16 against the Democratic Republic of Congo was a close affair. In the 1-0 win, the winning goal came deep into extra time. The goal-hungry Nigerians, on the other hand, confidently beat Mozambique 4-0.
Nigeria scored twice in each of their four victorious Africa Cup of Nations games. The attackers Osimhen, teammate of Leroy Sané and Ilkay Gündogan at Galatasaray Istanbul, and Ademola Lookman (Atalanta Bergamo) each brought three tournament goals into the quarter-finals.
Bensebaini with light and shadow
Lookman then had his first good opportunity against Algeria: After a failed free kick from Algeria’s Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Lookman scored from eleven meters, Luca Zidane parried under the eyes of his father Zinédine.
Nigeria came very close to taking the lead twice before the break. Zidane misjudged a free-kick cross and was able to thank Bensebaini for scraping Calvin Bassey’s header off the line (29′). Eight minutes later, attacker Adams was free but shot just over the crossbar.
Osimhen makes the difference
Immediately after the break the time had come: after a cross to the second post, Osimhen headed in the deserved lead. Bensebaini had given him plenty of space and Zidane jumped up in the near corner instead of spreading out.
Shortly afterwards, Osimhen shone as a provider: After Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza lost the ball, Alex Iwobi released Osimhen with a strong through ball. The top star cleverly crossed to Adams, who let Zidane get out and slotted in to make it 2-0.
Maza, Amoura and Chaibi unremarkable
There was still hardly anything to be seen from Algeria’s Bundesliga-style attack with Maza, Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg) and Farès Chaibi (Frankfurt), and veteran captain Riyad Mahrez was also unable to make any impact. It wasn’t until the 80th minute that Algeria fired their first shot on goal.
Instead, Nigeria could have increased it further. Osimhen was again the provider, but Adams headed the ball off the post (81′).