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Riyad Mahrez Expects Open, High-Quality Battle as Algeria Brace for Nigeria Test

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3 weeks ago

2:28 pm

Riyad Mahrez Expects Open, High-Quality Battle as Algeria Brace for Nigeria Test

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez believes his side’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final clash against Nigeria will present a very different challenge from their hard-fought Round of 16 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Desert Warriors booked their place in the last eight with a narrow 1–0 win over the Leopards, setting up a blockbuster encounter with the Super Eagles — one of the standout fixtures of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Nigeria and Algeria are the only two teams to have maintained a perfect record at the tournament, each winning all four of their matches so far. While Nigeria boasts the competition’s most lethal attack with 12 goals scored, Algeria has been equally impressive defensively, conceding just once to register the best defensive record of the tournament.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s showdown, Mahrez highlighted the contrast in playing styles between Nigeria and DR Congo, predicting a more open and expansive contest in Marrakech.

“In our next match, we will face a different opponent compared to DR Congo,” Mahrez told reporters.
“We expect the next match to be more open, which will give us more space to showcase our abilities, and we must be fully prepared.”

The former Leicester City and Manchester City winger expects a high-tempo encounter between two of Africa’s most in-form sides, with fine margins likely to decide the outcome.

Nigeria and Algeria will face off at the Marrakech Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. The winner of the tie will go on to meet either Morocco or Cameroon in the last four, as the race for continental glory intensifies.

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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