President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised Nigeria’s Super Eagles for their impressive performance following their victory over the Algerian national team on Saturday evening, assuring the players of the nation’s full support as they continue their campaign.
Reacting to the win in a brief but emphatic message on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, the President commended the team’s display and described it as both brilliant and inspiring.
Go, Super Eagles! You have the support of all Nigerians,” the President wrote.
Saturday’s with over Algeria has pushed Nigeria’s national team to the semi finals, listed to play against the host nation, Morocco next Wednesday.
The message, posted shortly after the final whistle, echoed the widespread excitement and pride that greeted the Super Eagles’ triumph over Algeria national football team.
The starting line-up of the Nigeria remains unchanged for their quarter-final clash against Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has retained the same side that delivered a commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16, showing confidence in a team that has impressed throughout the tournament.
In attack, Ademola Lookman the tournament’s second-highest goalscorer and leading assist provider will once again partner Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams. The prolific front three have combined for nine goals so far in the competition.
Osimhen keeps his place in the line-up despite the controversy surrounding his emotional outburst during the previous match, where he appeared to clash with teammates and refused to huddle after the final whistle. The incident sparked calls from sections of the Nigerian football community for his omission, but Chelle has opted for continuity.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi will anchor the midfield alongside Frank Onyeka, providing balance and protection for playmaker Alex Iwobi. At the back, Calvin Bassey, who is one yellow card away from suspension, marshals the defence in a familiar 4-3-3 setup.
The quarter-final encounter will kick off at 5pm Nigerian time at the Grand Stade de Marrakech. The winner will advance to face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals.
Super Eagles Starting XI
Stanley Nwabali; Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyeamaechi; Wilfred Ndidi (C), Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.
Defender Ryan Alebiosu has returned to full team training with the Super Eagles after a cut in the leg he suffered in a 2025 AFCON group game against Uganda healed.
The Blackburn Rovers fullback trained with the rest of the squad in Marrakesh Thursday evening on arrival from Fes.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final tie between the Super Eagles and the Fennecs of Algeria is more than a game; it is a meeting of history, pride and unfinished business. As both nations renew one of African football’s fiercest rivalries in Marrakech, past wounds, present form and future ambitions collide what promises to be a match full of drama, intensity and defining moments writes TUNDE LIADI …
When the Super Eagles of Nigeria step onto the pristine turf of the Stade de Marrakech tomorrow, they will not just be facing Algeria’s Fennecs; they will be confronting decades of shared history, unresolved grudges and a rivalry that has shaped African football for more than half a century.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi perhaps summed it up best with a proverb that has echoed across generations of African sport: “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
Akpeyi, a bronze medallist at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt , believes tomorrow’s contest will be nothing short of brutal.
“That is what is going to happen between Nigeria and Algeria. It is going to be a tough game and the Super Eagles must be ready to fight to be victorious.”
Indeed, tomorrow’s quarter-final will be the 23rd senior-level meeting between Nigeria and Algeria since their first clash at the All-Africa Games in Lagos in 1971. It will also be their 10th meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations, a competition where both sides have repeatedly crossed paths at defining moments.
Nigeria have won only three of the previous nine AFCON meetings, while Algeria have claimed four victories, with two draws – including the infamous 1984 “Bouaké Accord”, a scoreless draw that eliminated defending champions Ghana and still stirs controversy four decades later.
Their AFCON rivalry swings between extremes. Nigeria’s glorious 1980 triumph in Lagos, sealed by goals from Segun Odegbami and Mudashiru Lawal, delivered the country’s first continental crown. Ten years later, the pendulum swung forcefully in Algeria’s favour as the Fennecs defeated Nigeria twice on home soil in 1990, including the final that handed them their maiden continental title.
More recently, the rivalry was reignited in Cairo 2019, when Riyad Mahrez’s stoppage-time free kick shattered Nigerian hearts in the semi-final. That wound remains fresh, and tomorrow offers the Super Eagles a chance at a long-awaited revenge.
Perfect records, different paths
Both teams arrive in Marrakech for this decisive AFCON 2025 quarter-finals with a somewhat identical records : four wins from four matches, yet their journeys have been stylistically different.
Nigeria have been the tournament’s most exhilarating attacking force. Twelve goals in four games, a dominant 4–0 Round-of-16 demolition of Mozambique and the most fluid attacking play seen from the Super Eagles in years have made them favourites in many quarters.
Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami believes Morocco itself has played a decisive role in Nigeria’s resurgence.
“What made the difference for a group of great players that have struggled for years to find their rhythm?” Odegbami asked. “The answer is so simple it’s almost too good to be true.”
According to the 1980 AFCON hero, the immaculate Moroccan pitches have allowed the gifted Nigerian players to finally express themselves.
“The single most important, yet least acknowledged, factor is the immaculate playing surface,” Odegbami explained. “Morocco has invested in some of the best football pitches in the world, and these pitches allow every pass, every movement, to become a work of art.”
Algeria, by contrast, have built their campaign on defensive steel. They have conceded just one goal in four matches and none with Luca Zidane, the son of the legendary French International, Zinedine Zidane, in goal.
Zidane’s wall vs. Nigeria’s firepower
The looming tactical battle may revolve around Luca Zidane, the tournament’s only goalkeeper yet to concede a goal. Since switching allegiance to Algeria in September 2025, the 27-year-old has delivered three clean sheets and decisive saves, most notably in the extra-time victory over DR Congo.
But tomorrow, standing in his way is arguably the most feared attacking duo in African football: Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
Lookman, the immediate African Footballer of the Year, has already registered three goals and four assists, while Osimhen has matched him goal-for-goal.
Yet Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has acknowledged the danger Nigeria pose but remains calm.
“Nigeria?” he asked rhetorically.“ We know them well, the match will not be easy.
“But we stayed solid against DR Congo, and that discipline can be decisive again.”
Asked about another dramatic moment like his 2019 free kick, Mahrez smiled knowingly:
“A free kick in the last minute again? We’ll see; anything is possible,” he added.
Camp tensions and self-destruction button
Despite Nigeria’s brilliance on the pitch, clouds have hovered over their camp. Reports of unresolved bonus payments have triggered memories of the ill-fated 2026 World Cup playoff defeat to the DR Congo in November last year, where similar disputes preceded elimination.
Former midfielder Friday Ekpo, a bronze medallist at Senegal 1992 with the Super Eagles, expressed deep frustration.
“It is a pity that we always fall into this line every now and then,” Ekpo said. “Issues regarding match bonuses should have been sorted to make the players happy, eager and motivated.”
Ex-defender Sam Sodje was even more direct.
“If it is true, then something is wrong,” he warned. “We can’t be talking about bonuses at this stage. We saw what non-payment did to us during the World Cup playoff. We don’t need that again.”
Yet Sodje remains optimistic: “With their performance so far, we have a big chance of winning this AFCON. We have one of the best strike forces in the world. Whoever is in charge must do what is needed.”
Nevertheless, immediate past Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong who was the MVP at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, has thrown his full support behind the national team, urging them to seize a golden opportunity and bring home the AFCON 2025 trophy.
The experienced defender believes the current squad has both the quality and mentality to go all the way in Morocco, adding Nigeria head into a high-profile quarter-final clash against Algeria with momentum firmly on their side, having recorded a flawless run of four wins from four matches.
The former Watford defender officially retired from international football in December, just weeks before the competition kicked off, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished decade-long international career with Nigeria.
In an emotional statement released, Troost-Ekong reflected on his journey in the green and white colours. “December was a deeply personal and emotional month for me, as I officially stepped away from international football after 10 unforgettable years representing Nigeria,” he wrote. “To have worn the green and white for a decade, and to have captained my country, is something I will carry with pride for the rest of my life.”
Despite stepping away from active duty, the former captain made it clear his bond with the Super Eagles remains intact.
He added: “However, as one chapter closes, my support for the Super Eagles will never fade. Watching Nigeria play with hunger, personality and belief filled me with pride. The talent is there, the spirit is strong, and I have no doubt the team will continue to inspire millions back home.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has sent a strong message ahead of the ‘battle of Marrakech’, insisting the team remains focused on its own objectives rather than the strength of Algeria.
“I don’t care what opponent. We are just focusing on ourselves,” Onyeka said during his post-match interview after the Super Eagles’ emphatic 4-0 defeat of Mozambique in their 16th Round encounter last Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
When pressed further, the combative midfielder doubled down on his stance. “That is it,” he added briefly, reinforcing Nigeria’s mind-set as one built on discipline, unity, and self-belief rather than fear of opposition.
Onyeka also provided a positive update on his fitness ahead of the quarter-final.
“I’m fully fit,” he confirmed, offering a boost to coach Eric Chelle as Nigeria prepare for a crucial test against the Desert Warriors in their quest for the fourth continental glory.
Indeed, this will not be a routine quarter-final as history, form and emotion converge in Marrakech but one thing certainty stands out for the two African giants.
While Nigeria seek revenge, continuity and a fourth AFCON crown, Algeria will aim to maintain a tradition that has twice seen them defeat Nigeria on their way to lifting the continental silverware.
But as Akpeyi warned, when elephants fight, the grass suffers. Tomorrow’s night in Marrakech, promises to be an unforgettable spectacle.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Super Eagles, Fennecs in history:
10 Jan 1973: Nigeria 2-2 Algeria (All-Africa Games: Lagos)
As anticipation builds ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match between Nigeria and Algeria, Goldberg Lager Beer is placing fans at the heart of the football experience with the return of its Festival of Drums and Lights under the Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.
The Super Eagles will be battling it out against the Desert Foxes tomorrow, 10th January, and Goldberg is set to host a major fan experience at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO Field), Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos.
The activation will open at 3:00 p.m., ahead of the 5:00 p.m. kick-off, giving fans enough time to soak in the atmosphere before the Super Eagles take on a familiar North African rival.
While the Super Eagles prepare for what promises to be a tough quarter-final tie against Algeria, Goldberg’s focus remains on creating a space where Nigerians can come together, connect and express their shared love for football.
Following the strong response recorded during Nigeria’s emphatic win over Mozambique, the brand is bringing back its Festival of Drums and Lights, a celebration that blends football with music, culture and community spirit.
The experience is designed to reflect the rhythm and emotion that surround Super Eagles match days.
“Our Beat, Our Gold is about how Nigerians live football,” said Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg. “It’s in the sounds, the drums, the lights, the conversations and the belief we share. With the Festival of Drums and Lights, we are simply creating the right environment for fans to feel that connection as the Super Eagles push for a fourth AFCON title.”
The Dopemu venue will come alive with colour, rhythm and live performances, offering fans more than just a place to watch the match.
Music acts Mavo, Zlatan Ibile and Segun Johnson will perform live, adding energy to the build-up and keeping the mood alive throughout the evening.
“Get ready to feel the heat,” Aroyehun said. “This is not just about ninety or 120 minutes of football. It’s about celebrating the journey, the culture and the fans who stand behind the team every step of the way.”
Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Lights is part of a wider effort to deepen fan engagement throughout AFCON 2025.
As the Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles, the brand has activated viewing centres and match-day experiences across Lagos and beyond, giving supporters safe and welcoming spaces to watch games together with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer in hand.
Backed by Nigerian Breweries Plc since 2018, Goldberg has built a lasting presence in Nigerian football, playing a key role in growing Super Eagles followership across the country.
Ahead of the Algeria clash, the Super Eagles will be banking on discipline, belief and collective effort as they aim to book a place in the semi-finals.
Algeria have long been one of Africa’s strongest teams, making the quarter-final a major test in Nigeria’s quest for continental glory.
For Goldberg, however, the message is clear: whatever the outcome, the fans remain central.
“Football has a special power to unite us,” Aroyehun said. “As the Super Eagles step onto the pitch, we want Nigerians to feel proud, connected and fully part of the moment. That is what Our Beat, Our Gold stands for.”
This Saturday in Dopemu, Goldberg will bring drums, lights and fans together as the Festival of Drums and Lights turns match day into a moment of football, culture and support for the Super Eagles.
The Federal Government has announced that all group-stage bonuses due to players of the Super Eagles at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations have been released and are expected to reflect in the players’ domiciliary accounts within hours.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, in response to reports suggesting that the national team was considering boycotting training sessions and could refuse to travel to Marrakech for their quarter-final encounter against Algeria.
In a post on her official X handle, Uzoka-Anite provided an update on the administrative steps taken to resolve concerns surrounding the payment of match bonuses to the Super Eagles, stating that the issue had been addressed through coordinated action by the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have successfully streamlined to ensure faster, more predictable disbursements aligned with international best practice,” the minister said.
She explained that all bonuses earned during the group stage of the tournament had already been processed through the required regulatory procedures. “All group-stage bonuses were fully released and have now cleared the necessary regulatory stages,” she said.
Uzoka-Anite added that the government had introduced a fast-track process to meet the players’ preferences regarding currency denomination. “We have implemented a fast-track conversion process to move funds into foreign currency, honouring the players’ preferences,” she stated.
According to the minister, the final stage of the payment process is already underway. “The final transfers to domiciliary accounts are currently in flight. Players can expect these funds to reflect starting today (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday),” she said.
She noted that the government’s priority remains the welfare and morale of the national team as they progress into the knockout phase of the tournament.
“Our focus remains entirely on supporting the team’s welfare so they can maintain their incredible momentum in the knockout rounds,” Uzoka-Anite said.
She added that the administration is committed to ensuring that off-field issues do not distract the players from their performance on the pitch. “We move forward with one goal: Bringing the trophy home!” she said.
The Super Eagles are back in business after they held their first training in Marrakech yesterday moments after they arrived from Fes, where they have played their first four matches at the ongoing 20925 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The team, led by coach Eric Sekou Chelle, travelled by Royal Air Maroc and checked into Savoy Le Grande Hotel. This move to Marrakech follows a pay strike threat over unpaid bonuses.
The entire squad, including key players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, participated in the training as they prepare for the quarter-final match against Algeria (nicknamed the Fennecs) at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Media and public were not allowed at the training, but a viral video shared by officials shows the team’s readiness. The Super Eagles will have a final training session today before the crucial game tomorrow.
Yesterday marked coach Chelle’s one-year anniversary in charge; under his management, Nigeria has played 16 matches, earning 10 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss, scoring 34 goals and conceding 15.
The quarter-final match against Algeria is expected to be Chelle’s biggest test as the team aims for a semi-final berth in Morocco 2025.
The winner between Nigeria and Algeria will face the winner of today’s other quarter-final match between the hosts Morocco or Cameroon in the last four.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has attributed the delay in the payment of bonuses to the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Dikko spoke on Thursday after reports emerged that players of the Nigeria threatened to boycott their AFCON quarter-final clash against Algeria over unpaid bonuses.
According to the NSC chairman, the funds have already been approved and released, but are still undergoing due process.
“The money has been released and is being processed,” Dikko said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He added: “The NFF, the Sports Commission, the Presidency, the Minister of Finance, and the CBN are all involved. Fundamentally, the money for this AFCON is approved and being processed through the right channels. It’s a matter of timing.”
He stressed that approval of funds does not automatically translate into immediate disbursement, explaining that multiple government institutions are involved in the process.
“Let me give you the timelines of how these issues work. First and foremost, I must tell you that Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, duly approved the special budget for the AFCON as far back as November 14, 2025,” Dikko said.
“But approving the money is different from getting the money out. It takes time for the funds to be processed through the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
