Two giants of African football meet in Marrakech on Saturday. This is the biggest game of the tournament so far.
Algeria and Nigeria are the only two teams that won every single game in the group stage. They are both perfect. But this game is about more than just form; it is about destiny.
History is screaming that both these teams should win the tournament. On one side, you have the "Algeria Prophecy": whenever the Fennec Foxes win all three group games, as they did in 1990 and 2019, they go on to lift the trophy. On the other hand, the "Nigeria Omen" is just as strong: whenever the Super Eagles play Tanzania in their opening match, like in 1980, they win the AFCON.
The Fennec Foxes are built on defense. They have conceded just 1 goal in 4 games. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane has been a wall and his famous father Zinedine is watching every game from the stands. They survived a scare against DR Congo in the Round of 16 thanks to a 119th-minute goal.
The Super Eagles are the entertainers. They crushed Mozambique 4-0 in the last round. They have scored 12 goals in the tournament which is more than anyone else. But there is trouble in paradise. Reports say players are unhappy about unpaid bonuses. Plus Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman had a fight on the pitch during the last game.
Can Nigeria’s attack break Algeria’s defense? Or will the "Bonus Row" distract them and allow Riyad Mahrez to steal the win?
Algeria vs Nigeria: Key Stats
Head-to-head (all-time): Nigeria 9 wins, Algeria 7 wins, 5 draws
Algeria: Won last 4 matches vs Nigeria
Algeria: Conceded just 1 goal in 4 AFCON matches
Nigeria: Scored 12 goals in 4 AFCON matches (tournament high)
Nigeria: Reached AFCON semi-finals 16 times (joint-record)
Lookman: 3 goals, 3 assists (most productive player at AFCON 2025)
What to Expect: Defense vs Attack
Algeria;
Manager Vladimir Petkovic has fixed the defense. With Luca Zidane in goal they look calm. Riyad Mahrez is 34 now but he is still the boss. He has 3 goals and controls the tempo. Algeria will sit deep and try to frustrate Nigeria. They know Nigeria’s defense can be leaky (4 goals conceded) so they will wait for Amoura and Chaibi to hit on the counter.
Nigeria;
Manager Eric Chelle has reinvented this team. Ademola Lookman is the star of the tournament with 3 goals and 3 assists. But the drama is a worry. The fight between Lookman and Osimhen shows tension. The unpaid bonus news is a classic Nigeria distraction. They need to score early. If the game stays 0-0 for long Algeria will feel confident because they have the psychological edge from recent wins.
Predicted Lineups
Algeria (4-3-3) 🇩🇿: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri; Mahrez, Boudaoui, Bennacer, Chaïbi; Maza, Amoura
Nigeria (4-3-1-2) 🇳🇬: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi; Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
Players and Matchups to Watch
Ademola Lookman: The best player in the tournament so far. Everything goes through him.
Luca Zidane: Zinedine’s son is making his own name. Can he stop Osimhen?
Riyad Mahrez: He loves playing against Nigeria. He is the captain and the leader.
Victor Osimhen: After the on-pitch fight he needs to let his football do the talking.
Odds Market on MSport
💵 Algeria to win: 3.25
💵 Nigeria to win: 2.59
💵 Draw: 3.10
💵 Over 2.5 Goals: 2.46
💵 Lookman Anytime Goalscorer: 4.10
This is the toughest game to call. Algeria have the mental edge because they keep beating Nigeria (4 wins in a row). But Nigeria’s "1980 Omen" and their explosive attack (12 goals) feel special this year.
In 2019, Riyad Mahrez broke Nigerian hearts with a stoppage-time winner. In 2026, we predict the script will flip. Expect a tight, nervy battle that is decided in the dying moments. Victor Osimhen, seeking redemption for his recent drama, will score the 90th-minute winner to finally break the Algeria curse.
Prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Algeria
By Kelvin Amaniampong | Editor-in-Chief
