Nigeria’s confidence is steadily rising as the Super Eagles prepare for a crucial quarter-final encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with star forward Ademola Lookman expressing strong belief in the team’s readiness to face Algeria in Marrakech.
The Nigerian delegation arrived in the Moroccan city on Thursday, fully focused on Saturday’s high-profile clash against the Desert Foxes. With a place in the semi-finals on the line, the fixture represents another significant step in Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON title and a chance to reaffirm their status among Africa’s elite football nations.
Lookman has been one of the standout performers of the competition, playing a central role in Nigeria’s attacking success. The Atalanta winger has dazzled throughout the tournament, contributing three goals and four assists while collecting two Man of the Match awards. His influence goes beyond this edition alone, as he has now accumulated six goals and five assists across two AFCON tournaments, underlining his growing importance to the national team.
Speaking ahead of the decisive tie, Lookman emphasized that the squad remains fully focused, undeterred by minor off-field distractions that surfaced earlier in the week.
“The quarter-final stage of the AFCON is always special,” Lookman said in an interview with CAFOnline. “It’s another massive challenge for us, and we know what is required. The team is physically strong, mentally prepared, and ready to compete.”
He added that success would come down to discipline and intelligence on the pitch. “We need to be smart, aggressive, and approach the game with the same winning mentality we’ve had so far. The mindset hasn’t changed at all.”
Nigeria’s attacking unit has been one of the most feared at the tournament, with Lookman forming a dynamic trio alongside Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen. Their pace, movement, and chemistry have caused persistent problems for opposing defences, making the Super Eagles one of the most entertaining and effective teams going forward.
A brief on-field exchange between Lookman and Osimhen in Nigeria’s previous match sparked speculation among fans and pundits, but the winger was quick to dismiss any suggestion of tension within the squad.
“It was nothing serious,” Lookman clarified. “Just a normal discussion during the game. These things happen in football, and once the moment passes, you move on.”
Saturday’s encounter also carries emotional weight, as it rekindles memories of Nigeria’s narrow defeat to Algeria at the 2019 AFCON semi-final. On that occasion, the Desert Foxes claimed a dramatic 2–1 victory, courtesy of a late Riyad Mahrez free kick, before going on to lift the trophy.
While Algeria have struggled to match that success in recent years—suffering group-stage exits in the 2021 and 2023 tournaments—Nigeria appear to be on an upward trajectory. The Super Eagles reached the final of the most recent AFCON in Ivory Coast and now see this quarter-final as another opportunity to edge closer to continental glory.
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