Nigeria head into Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria buoyed by prolific form on the pitch, even as off-field distractions have threatened to unsettle the Super Eagles’ camp.
Inspired by star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria have been the tournament’s most potent attacking force, scoring 12 goals in four matches.
Comfortable group-stage victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda were followed by a ruthless 4–0 dismantling of Mozambique in the last 16 the heaviest AFCON knockout win since 2010.
Osimhen and Lookman, Africa’s Players of the Year in 2023 and 2024 respectively, have each scored three goals, with Lookman also providing four assists.
“The team is improving every single game,” Lookman said after the Mozambique win, underlining the growing confidence within the squad.
The strong AFCON showing has come as a welcome lift after Nigeria’s recent World Cup disappointment.
The Super Eagles narrowly reached the playoffs for the 2026 tournament before losing a penalty shoot-out to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat last November, confirming a second straight absence from the global stage.
For Africa’s most populous nation, the failure was a major blow.
Yet history suggests the Cup of Nations can offer redemption. Ivory Coast’s dramatic turnaround at the last AFCON when they recovered from the brink of elimination as hosts to lift the trophy remains a powerful reminder of the tournament’s unpredictability.
Nigeria are now chasing a fourth continental title, but preparations for the Algeria encounter have not been entirely smooth.
Reports of tension between Osimhen and Lookman surfaced after the last-16 match, when Osimhen appeared frustrated at not receiving a pass before being substituted and skipping post-match celebrations.
Lookman later played down the incident, describing Osimhen as “our number one guy” and insisting the issue was insignificant.
Head coach Eric Chelle, who took charge a year ago, has also had to contend with reports of a bonus dispute that allegedly sparked talk of a training boycott.
The Nigeria Football Federation has since confirmed that promised payments have been processed, and a team spokesperson said the squad trained as scheduled in Marrakesh.
Nigeria now turn their full attention to Algeria in a repeat of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, which the North Africans won 2–1 thanks to a late Riyad Mahrez strike. With form, firepower and — they hope — renewed harmony, the Super Eagles are determined to take another step toward continental glory.
