Algeria coach Petkovic confident ahead of AFCON 2025 QF date with Nigeria
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic has said he is looking forward to facing Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles booked their place in the last eight after a convincing 4-0 win over Mozambique on Monday. Algeria confirmed their own spot on Tuesday night following a tough battle with DR Congo.
The match went into extra time, and Algeria secured victory late on thanks to a 117th-minute goal from Adil Boulbina.
Now, attention turns to a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash between Algeria and Nigeria, scheduled to take place at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.
Both teams have been among the standout sides at the tournament in Morocco. They finished top of their groups and have continued to show strong form in the knockout stages.
Nigeria come into the match with the most goals scored in the competition, having found the net 12 times in four games. Algeria, on the other hand, boast the best defensive record so far, conceding only one goal.
The Super Eagles may enjoy a slight advantage in terms of recovery time, having played a day earlier. Algeria also had to endure 120 minutes against DR Congo, which could affect their fitness.
Despite this, Petkovic remains confident in his squad and believes they are ready for the challenge.
“We will start preparing for the match against Nigeria right now by focusing on our strengths,” Petkovic said.
“I like these kinds of matches because they demand hard work and intensity against teams that are aiming for the title.”
The last time both sides met at the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2019, when Algeria edged Nigeria with a late goal from Riyad Mahrez.
Since then, both teams have undergone major changes in players and coaching staff. With quality on both sides, the match is expected to be closely contested.
While Nigeria may appear stronger on paper, it remains difficult to predict the outcome. Super Eagles fans will be hoping their team can deliver a big performance and secure a place in the semifinals.
