Algeria vice-captain Aissa Mandi has conceded that Nigeria’s Super Eagles were the better side in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarter-final clash, admitting the Desert Foxes struggled to put the Nigerians under sustained pressure.
The Super Eagles secured a convincing 2–0 victory on Saturday, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams sealing Nigeria’s place in the semi-finals and ending Algeria’s campaign.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the experienced defender praised Nigeria’s quality, balance, and maturity, describing the Super Eagles as a team peaking at the right moment in the tournament.
“We’re disappointed, but we came up against a strong Nigerian team, one that’s reaching its peak and is well-rounded,” Mandi said.
“We didn’t play the way we should have, but these things happen in a quarter-final.”
Nigeria dominated long spells of the encounter, controlling possession and effectively neutralising Algeria’s attacking threats.
Mandi admitted it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what went wrong immediately after the final whistle.
“It’s hard to say what went wrong in the heat of the moment. We have to analyse the game and grow from it. We faced a strong team and didn’t manage to put them under pressure. It was a deserved victory for them,” he explained.
The match was not without controversy, as Algeria appealed for a first-half penalty after the ball struck Semi Ajayi’s hand inside the penalty area.
The referee dismissed the claims, sparking debate among players and supporters.
While suggesting the incident could have influenced the course of the game, Mandi stopped short of blaming the officials for the defeat.
“I think the penalty that wasn’t given could have changed the game. But we had to keep a cool head and focus on our football.
Nigeria didn’t need help from the referee to compete in this match. They have the quality to do so, but it’s a bit of a shame,” he said.
The win sends Nigeria into the semi-finals as they continue their bid for a fourth AFCON title. The Super Eagles will next face host nation Morocco in a high-stakes encounter in Rabat on Wednesday.
