Two giants of African football collide in Marrakech as Algeria and Nigeria face off for a place in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals. It is defence against attack, history against form, and a rivalry loaded with storylines that stretch across decades and finals.

The quarter-final kicks off on Saturday, 10 January 2026 at 5:00 pm Nigerian time at the Marrakech Stadium in Morocco. Both teams arrive unbeaten. One will go home.

AFCON 2025: Date, time and venue for Algeria vs Nigeria

This quarter-final takes place in the heat and noise of Marrakech. It is the third last-eight clash of the tournament, with a coveted semi-final berth on the line. The setting matters: Morocco’s AFCON stage has history with these two. Back in 1988, when Morocco last hosted, Nigeria edged Algeria on penalties on the way to the final. Different year, same edge.

Form guide: Algeria’s wall vs Nigeria’s firepower

Algeria have built their run on control and calm. Under Vladimir Petkovic, the Desert Warriors won all three group games and have conceded just one goal in four matches. Their last-16 win over DR Congo needed late drama — Adil Boulbina struck in the 119th minute — but the structure and discipline stayed intact.

Nigeria have taken a different road: speed, direct running, and goals. The Super Eagles have scored 12 times in four matches, including a 4–0 hammering of Mozambique. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have led the charge, and when Nigeria flow forward, they look like the most dangerous attack in the tournament.

“Can Algeria’s wall hold when Osimhen and Lookman start running?”

Quarter-final record: Why Nigeria usually get this done

Few nations handle AFCON quarter-finals like Nigeria. Since 1992, the Super Eagles have made 11 quarter-final appearances and won 10 of them. They have reached the semi-finals a joint-record 16 times, underlining their knack for timing a run in the knockout rounds.

Algeria’s record is more modest: six quarter-finals since 1992, with two progressions. That does not tell the whole story — the Desert Warriors are still two-time AFCON champions — but it frames the pressure moments. History leans Nigeria’s way at this stage.

Head-to-head: Recent edge belongs to Algeria

While Nigeria own the quarter-final numbers, Algeria have had the upper hand lately in this rivalry. The Fennec Foxes have won the last three meetings and are unbeaten in the last four against the Super Eagles. The most famous of those was the 2019 AFCON semi-final: a 2–1 Algerian win settled by a last-minute Riyad Mahrez free-kick.

For Nigeria, the last competitive win over Algeria is noted as 2004, with the last win of any kind coming in a 2016 World Cup qualifier in Uyo. Those markers give Algeria quiet confidence — even more so with a defence that has allowed just one goal at this AFCON.

“History says Nigeria own the quarters, but recent form says Algeria.”

Styles make fights: control vs chaos in Marrakech

This game is a contrast. Algeria are methodical and patient. They control space, kill tempo, and wait for mistakes. Nigeria are explosive, fast, and brave in numbers. They can score from wide areas, through the middle, or on the break. If the Super Eagles defend properly — and that is the big question — their pace and power can tilt the tie.

For Algeria, the path is clear: protect the back line, slow Nigeria’s transitions, and be ruthless on set plays and late moments. For Nigeria, it is about keeping concentration without losing their attacking spark. One lapse either way could settle it.

“This feels like 2019 all over again — who writes the last line this time?”

Predictions and mood: which giant blinks?

Neutral models and editors see a tight classic coming. Soccernet tips a 3–2 win for Nigeria, banking on their firepower to edge the margins if the defence holds. And in a fun twist that has captured fans online, Nimbus Pronos — the cat that reportedly nailed every Round of 16 pick — has chosen Nigeria to beat Algeria here.

Strip away the hype, and the core read is simple: Algeria are hard to break; Nigeria are hard to stop. One clean strike, one lapse, one moment of genius could swing a semi-final path.

What’s at stake: pathways to the title

Nigeria are chasing a fourth AFCON crown and their first since 2013. Algeria are hunting a third title, and, after back-to-back group-stage disappointments in recent editions, this feels like a chance to set the record straight. Both are unbeaten; both feel battle-ready. Only one will carry that momentum into the final four.

Match essentials: Algeria vs Nigeria, AFCON 2025

• Competition: 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), quarter-final
• Fixture: Algeria vs Nigeria
• Date: Saturday, 10 January 2026
• Kick-off: 5:00 pm Nigerian time
• Venue: Marrakech Stadium, Morocco
• Algeria: 1 goal conceded in 4 matches; last-16 win via Adil Boulbina’s 119th-minute goal vs DR Congo
• Nigeria: 12 goals in 4 matches, including a 4–0 win over Mozambique
• Quarter-final record (since 1992): Nigeria 10 wins in 11 QFs; Algeria progressed twice in six QFs
• Head-to-head (recent): Algeria won last 3; Nigeria winless in last 4; 2019 AFCON semi ended 2–1 to Algeria (Mahrez FTW)

The bottom line

Call it what you like — defence vs attack, control vs chaos, history vs form — this is the tightest, highest-quality quarter-final left. If Nigeria keep their shape, their attack can win it. If Algeria set the rhythm and keep it slow, they have the tools to squeeze through. Expect a one-goal game, late drama, and a landmark win for whoever holds their nerve longest.