Nigeria vs Algeria: A Rivalry Forged in Drama as AFCON 2025 Quarter-Final Beckons

Saturday’s third quarter-final of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations promises to be the jewel of the last-eight fixtures, as Nigeria’s senior men’s national team lock horns with Algeria for the 23rd time at senior level.

The rivalry dates back 55 years, to their first meeting at the 2nd All-Africa Games in Lagos, and over five-and-a-half decades, clashes between both sides have delivered everything African football is famous for — breathtaking skill, shocking scorelines, late twists, stunning comebacks, iconic individual performances, and moments of controversy.

The quarter-final in Marrakech will mark the 10th AFCON meeting between the two giants. From the previous nine encounters at Africa’s biggest football stage, Nigeria have won three, Algeria four, while two ended in draws.

One of those draws remains infamous — the 1984 Bouaké stalemate, where both teams were widely accused of playing out a mutually beneficial scoreless draw to ensure qualification to the semi-finals at the expense of defending champions Ghana.

History adds symmetry to the rivalry: Nigeria defeated Algeria to lift their first AFCON title in 1980 on home soil, while Algeria returned the favour a decade later, beating Nigeria to win their maiden title in 1990, also at home.

Now, Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth-largest city, is set to host another chapter in one of African football’s most compelling rivalries — a contest guaranteed to write fresh history.

The fiercest Nigeria–Algeria encounters have often come in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria vs Algeria (10 October 1981, Lagos):
Reigning African champions Nigeria were stunned 2–0 at home, amid off-field issues including ticket-price disputes and squad disharmony. Algeria scored twice in the first half to seize control.

Algeria vs Nigeria (30 October 1981, Constantine):
The Fennecs completed the job with a 2–1 win, knocking Nigeria out of qualification.

Nigeria vs Algeria (3 July 1993):
After conceding early, Nigeria responded in style. Jay-Jay Okocha’s free-kick ignited a comeback, while Rashidi Yekini led a dominant display in a resounding 4–1 victory.

Algeria vs Nigeria (8 October 1993):
Finidi George’s goal ensured a draw that sealed Nigeria’s historic qualification for USA ’94.

Nigeria vs Algeria (3 July 2004):
Joseph Yobo’s towering header delivered a vital 1–0 win in Abuja during 2006 World Cup qualifying.

Algeria vs Nigeria (4 September 2005, Oran):
Nigeria produced one of their finest away performances, crushing Algeria 5–2, with goals from Obafemi Martins (2), John Utaka, Christian Obodo and Ayo Makinwa.

*Nigeria vs Algeria (12 November 2016, Uyo):
A dominant 3–1 Super Eagles victory, inspired by a vintage Victor Moses display.

Algeria vs Nigeria (10 November 2017):
The match ended 1–1 but was later awarded 3–0 to Algeria after Nigeria fielded an ineligible player.

AFCON meetings between both sides have been equally dramatic:

Nigeria vs Algeria (22 March 1980):
Segun Odegbami (2) and Mudashiru Lawal powered Nigeria to a historic first AFCON title in Surulere.

Nigeria vs Algeria (10 March 1982):
Algeria overturned Nigeria’s early lead to defeat the defending champions.

Nigeria vs Algeria (11 March 1984):
The notorious Bouaké 0–0 draw, where both teams advanced amid accusations of collusion.

Nigeria vs Algeria (23 March 1988):
After a 1–1 draw and a red card for Nigeria, the Eagles triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Algeria vs Nigeria (2 March 1990):
Hosts Algeria recorded their biggest AFCON win over Nigeria in the opening match.

Algeria vs Nigeria (16 March 1990):
Cherif Oudjani’s strike secured Algeria’s first AFCON title, again at Nigeria’s expense.

Nigeria vs Algeria (21 January 2002):
Julius Aghahowa scored the decisive goal in Bamako.

Nigeria vs Algeria (30 January 2010):
Nigeria claimed third place in Angola through Obinna Nsofor’s goal.

Algeria vs Nigeria (14 July 2019):
Riyad Mahrez’s late free-kick sealed a dramatic 2–1 semi-final win for Algeria in Cairo.

As the Super Eagles and the Fennecs prepare for another high-stakes showdown, history suggests one thing is certain: Nigeria vs Algeria never disappoints.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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