AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s next opponents confirmed as Algeria edge DR Congo

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face familiar foes in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations

Nigeria’s quarter-final opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations are now confirmed, with Algeria booking a last-eight meeting against the Super Eagles after a tense extra-time victory over DR Congo on Tuesday night, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles will face the Desert Warriors in Marrakesh on Saturday, in what will be a familiar and loaded reunion between two of Africa’s heavyweights. It is also a repeat of the 2019 semi-final, which Algeria won on their way to lifting the trophy.

Algeria needed patience, resilience and a moment of late inspiration to get past DR Congo. After 90 goalless minutes and a cagey extra-time contest that seemed to be drifting towards penalties, Adil Boulbina struck with barely a minute left, firing home a decisive winner to settle the tie 1-0 and send the Desert Warriors into the quarter-finals.

For Nigeria, it sets up the latest chapter in a rivalry that has swung back and forth for decades and one that has recently tilted in Algeria’s favour.

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Nigeria vs Algeria: How the two teams reached the quarter-finals

Nigeria arrive at this stage with growing confidence and momentum.

The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Tanzania, with Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman on target. That was followed by a breathless 3-2 victory over Tunisia, as Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Lookman again found the net to lift Nigeria clear at the top of Group C.

With qualification already secured, the final group game against Uganda became an opportunity for rotation, but a much-changed side still delivered, cruising to a 3-1 win despite their opponents being reduced to ten men. Paul Onuachu scored once and Raphael Onyedika added a brace to show Nigeria’s depth.

In the round of 16, the Super Eagles produced their most complete performance of the tournament so far, sweeping aside Mozambique 4-0. Osimhen struck twice, with further goals from Lookman and Akor Adams, in a display that combined control, pace and ruthless finishing.

Algeria’s path has been just as assured.

Alongside Nigeria, they were the only team to win all three group matches. They began with a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea, followed by a narrow but efficient 1-0 win against Burkina Faso, before closing the group stage with a composed 3-0 success over Sudan.

Tuesday’s dramatic extra-time win over DR Congo, however, was their sternest test yet and takes them into the AFCON quarter-finals for only the eighth time in their history.

Saturday’s meeting will be the 23rd between the two nations in all competitions. Nigeria have won nine times, Algeria ten, with three draws.

The Desert Warriors have also won the last four meetings, including that memorable 2-1 semi-final victory at AFCON 2019,a tournament they went on to win by beating Senegal in the final.