Key events
There teams are out and singing their national anthems. This is for a place in the semi-final against Morocco.
Nigeria were starting to click before Osimhen’s outburst. Osasu Obayiuwana wrote about the importance of Nigeria’s talisman.
Team news
Algeria XI: Zidane, Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri, Boudaoui, Bennacer, Chaïbi, Mahrez, Maza, Amoura
Subs: Abdelli, Atal, Bakrar, Belaïd, Benbot, Berkane, Boulbina, Bounedjah, Dorval, Hadj Moussa, Kebbal, Mandréa, Zerrouki, Zorgane
Nigeria XI: Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman, Adams, Osimhen
Subs: Akinsanmiro, Awaziem, Chukwueze, Dele-Bashiru, Ejuke, Lawal, Nnadi, Obasogie Ogbu, Onuachu, Onyedika, Sanusi, Simon, Usman, Uzoho
Preamble
Hello and welcome to minute-by-minute coverage of Algeria v Nigeria in the quarter-final of AFCON. Despite both teams’ 100% records in the tournament so far, the build up to this match has been mired in controversy.
Algeria beat DR Congo in the round of 16 with a last minute winner in extra time. In the celebrations of Adil Boulbina’s winner, fellow teammate Mohamed Amoura mimicked the stance of Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, a Congolese super fan who has been paying tribute to the first prime minister of the Democratic of Congo Patrice Lumumba and his statue in Kinshasa, before falling to the ground. Amoura subsequently apologised and the Algerian Football Association presented Mboladinga with an Algeria shirt with Lumumba’s name printed on the back.
Meanwhile, Nigeria beat Mozambique 4-0 in their round of 16 tie but analysis of that match was overshadowed by an argument between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Osimhen berated his teammate midway through the second half seemingly for failing to pass to him. Lookman, who has been one of the best players at the tournament, played down the incident. He said: “It’s just football.”
Speaking of which, we should be in for a brilliant game that will see Algeria’s resolute defence come up against Nigeria’s firepower up front. Kick off is at 4pm. “>Send me an email with your thoughts.
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