By VICTOR OKOYE (NAN)

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take centre stage on Saturday in Marrakech, chasing a semi-final place as AFCON 2025 intensifies with a heavyweight quarter-final clash.

Three-time champions Nigeria meet 2019 winners Algeria at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade de Marrakech, with pride, history and momentum at stake.

Both teams advanced from the group stage with perfect records, the only sides to do so, but knockout football leaves no room for past achievements.

Nigeria arrived as the tournament favourites after scoring 12 goals and conceding four, including a commanding 4-0 Round of 16 win over Mozambique.

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has played down expectations, insisting focus must remain firmly on the immediate challenge.

He said, “I only think about Marrakech,” Chelle said. “There is a game to play. After that, we can think about the next step.

“The story starts in Marrakech,” he added. “Training, focus and the next game – that is all that matters now.”

In spite of reports of unpaid bonuses and minor on-field disagreements, players insisted that unity within the Nigerian camp remained intact.

On the pitch, Nigeria looked revitalised, combining pace, power and purpose under Chelle’s pragmatic leadership.

Ademola Lookman has been Nigeria’s standout performer, recording three goals and five assists to emerge as the tournament’s most productive player.

Victor Osimhen has also scored three goals, moving within three of Nigeria’s all-time AFCON scoring record of 37 goals.

Akor Adams added fresh impetus with his first AFCON goal against Mozambique, further strengthening Nigeria’s attacking options.

However, defensive lapses remained a concern, with Nigeria conceding four goals in four matches ahead of their sternest test yet.

Midfield anchors Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi have driven Nigeria’s intensity, though Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Calvin Bassey are on suspension alert.

History provides mixed comfort. Nigeria and Algeria have met 21 times, with Nigeria winning nine, Algeria seven, and five encounters drawn.

Algeria famously eliminated Nigeria 2-1 in the 2019 AFCON semi-final, sealed by Riyad Mahrez’s stoppage-time free-kick.

The Desert Warriors arrive seeking redemption after group-stage exits at the last two AFCON tournaments.

Coach Vladimir Petkovic sees reaching the quarter-finals as merely the foundation of a rebuilding journey.

“Qualifying was important, but it is the minimum,” Petkovic said. “Now our focus is Nigeria. Rebuilding means responsibility, courage and unity.”

Under Petkovic, Algeria had recorded 19 wins in 24 matches, signalling steady recovery since their 2019 triumph.

He said, “I never promise trophies,” he added. “What I promise is pride, courage and unity. Without unity, success is impossible.”

Algeria edged DR Congo 1-0 after extra time in the Round of 16, Adil Boulbina striking decisively in the 119th minute.

Defensive discipline underpins their campaign, conceding just one goal in four matches, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane in fine form.

Zinedine Zidane had watched every Algeria match from the stands, lending symbolic weight to their quiet resurgence.

Captain Riyad Mahrez, 34, remains influential, scoring three goals and guiding a squad blending experience with youth.

Baghdad Bounedjah, Ismaël Bennacer and Ramy Bensebaini bring winning pedigree, while Fares Chaibi adds youthful drive.

Mahrez expects another tight encounter. “Nigeria? We know them well. The match won’t be easy. Anything is possible,” he said.

Nigeria had reached the AFCON semi-finals a joint-record 16 times, often thriving when the pressure is highest.

Should the Super Eagles advance, they will face either hosts Morocco or Cameroon, reviving memories of the historic 1988 AFCON.

Thirty-eight years ago in Rabat, Nigeria edged Algeria on penalties before losing a controversial final to Cameroon.

On Saturday, history, ambition and belief collide again in Marrakech, as Nigeria seek progress and Algeria chase redemption. (NAN)