Algeria 0-2 Nigeria: Super Eagles soar into AFCON semi-final after comfortable win

Nigeria progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final following a 2-0 win over Algeria in Marrakesh.

Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams scored the goals as the Super Eagles found their wings in the second-half to set up a date with hosts Morocco in the last four.

Both sides came into the tie with perfect records in the competition, but it was the three-time champions who emerged victorious as Eric Chelle’s team largely dominated proceedings at Stade de Marrakech.

They were unable to break through a mean Algeria defence after 45 minutes but scored twice in quick succession after the break to deservedly see off their north African opponents.

How the action unfolded

Nigeria, who are hoping to put behind them the disappointment of failing to qualify for a second successive World Cup finals, had the better of the opening exchanges.

On 23 minutes, Ademola Lookman had an early sight of goal when he cut inside onto his right before lashing a low drive that Luca Zidane – son of the great Zinedine – did well to hold.

Lookman then slid in Osimhen in the box, but a combination of Zidane and Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri quickly snuffed out the danger.

Algeria struggled to find a footing in the game. Shortly before the 30-minute mark, Zidane was caught in no man’s land from a free-kick but Ramy Bensebaini saved the Fennec Foxes from falling behind with a last-ditch goal-line clearance to keep out Calvin Bassey’s effort.

But the best chance of the half fell to Adams when he found himself bearing down on goal. However, the Sevilla striker could only blaze his effort over the bar.

The Algeria defence, which had been breached just once in the tournament coming into the tie, was once again showing its strength.

However, almost immediately after the restart, Nigeria finally made the breakthrough when Osimhen rose high at the far post to nod past Zidane and give his side the lead.

The Super Eagles were starting to soar. Osimhen again went close from a similar position before he turned provider, allowing Adams to atone for his earlier miss by adding a second when he rounded Zidane and poked into an open net.

Algeria began to wrestle back some momentum but they failed to really test Stanley Nwabali in the Nigeria goal.

Adams later hit the post with a header as Chelle’s team moved one step closer to a first AFCON title since 2013.