Mahrez: Algeria Ready for Tough AFCON Quarter-Final Against Nigeria

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has said the Desert Foxes are ready for a tough Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Nigeria.

Both former champions will meet in the last eight after coming through their Round of 16 matches in different ways. Algeria needed extra time to beat DR Congo, with Adil Boulbina scoring the winning goal late in the game. Nigeria, on the other hand, cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-0 win over Mozambique.

The match, scheduled for Saturday in Marrakech, brings back memories of their last AFCON meeting in 2019. On that occasion, Mahrez scored a dramatic late free-kick to send Algeria into the final, which they later won.

Speaking after the win over DR Congo, Mahrez said Algeria were the better side for most of the match.

“I think overall, if one team deserved to win, it was us,” he said. “DR Congo are a good team. They stayed compact and did not give us much space, but we remained strong.”

Mahrez also pointed to Algeria’s solid defence and the quality within the squad as key strengths.

“We have not given away many chances, and we still have players who can change the game,” he added.

Looking ahead to the clash with Nigeria, the winger admitted it would be a difficult test.

“We know Nigeria very well. It will not be an easy match,” Mahrez said.

When asked if the game could again be decided by a late moment, Mahrez smiled and said anything could happen.

Nigeria have been one of the best teams at AFCON 2025 so far, winning all four of their matches and scoring freely. The Super Eagles reached the final of the last tournament and are chasing another strong run.

Saturday’s quarter-final will decide who moves on to the semi-finals as the race for the AFCON title continues.