By Michael Odegbe
Algeria coach Vladimir Petković openly admitted that the Nigerian Super Eagles fully deserved their decisive 2-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), played on Saturday at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
The Super Eagles put in a superb performance, securing their place in the semifinals, and goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams sealed an unforgettable evening for the three-time African champions. It was a result that ended Algeria’s impressive run, having conceded just one goal before the match against Nigeria.
After the match, Petković offered a frank and brutal assessment of his team’s departure.
“Do I have to tell the truth, or should I be political?” he asked the Algerian coach of journalists. “Nigeria deserved to win this match. They were better than us. It was hard to get involved… We were attacked left and right.”
Nigeria’s intensity and physical dominance proved too much for the Desert Foxes, who struggled to cope with the Super Eagles’ relentless pressure, especially after the break. Osimhen broke the deadlock early in the second half, setting the tone, and moments later, Akor Adams scored the game-tying goal.
However, Petković was quick to praise his players for their overall form at the tournament, emphasizing that their quarterfinal defeat shouldn’t overshadow their progress.
“We had a good Africa Cup of Nations, but Nigeria was simply stronger today,” he said, acknowledging the Super Eagles’ superior quality and performance that evening.
With this victory, Nigeria heads into a thrilling semifinal against hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14th. The Super Eagles will be aiming to defeat the tournament favorites, thus continuing their quest for a record fourth Africa Cup of Nations title.
Be the first to comment