Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles made gentle work of Algeria to e book a semi-final spot on the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations with a formidable 2-0 win.
Victor Osimhen opened the scoring simply after half-time for the Tremendous Eagles in Marrakesh, after which arrange Akor Adams for the second aim simply earlier than the hour mark to arrange a last-four showdown with hosts Morocco.
Nigeria dominated the primary half in Marrakesh with out scoring earlier than getting the breakthrough inside two minutes of the restart as Osimhen headed in.
The 2023 African participant of the 12 months then turned supplier for the second aim simply earlier than the hour mark, organising Akor Adams to place the Tremendous Eagles out of sight.
Runners-up on the final AFCON two years in the past in Ivory Coast, Nigeria got here to Morocco nonetheless smarting from their failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup however are dreaming of successful a fourth continental title right here.
They weren’t intimidated by a Marrakesh crowd of 32,452 which was virtually fully given over to the Algerian trigger, however the ambiance is prone to be much more hostile for Wednesday’s semi-final in Rabat.
Algeria had overwhelmed Nigeria en path to successful their final Cup of Nations title in Egypt in 2019 and this has been by far their greatest marketing campaign on the event since then.
Their massive help which descended on a stadium set in opposition to the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains was filled with optimism after Vladimir Petkovic’s aspect had impressed within the group stage and edged out the Democratic Republic of Congo within the final 16.
But a staff that includes a formidable entrance three of Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza and Mohamed Amoura did not muster a single shot within the first half and had been fortunate to be stage at half-time.
Nigeria virtually scored simply earlier than the half-hour mark, when ‘keeper Luca Zidane obtained nowhere close to an Ademola Lookman free-kick supply and Calvin Bassey turned the ball in the direction of aim.
Nevertheless, Ramy Bensebaini obtained there simply in time to hook it away from the road.
They then ought to definitely have scored within the thirty seventh minute as Adams discovered himself clear by however blazed his shot over the bar.
Nevertheless, Eric Chelle’s half-time team-talk clearly labored as his Nigeria aspect wasted no time getting their noses in entrance initially of the second half.
Alex Iwobi discovered Bruno Onyemaechi on the left and his deep cross to the again submit was headed low into the online by Osimhen for the opener.
The masked Galatasaray striker had gone seven Cup of Nations matches with out discovering the online earlier than scoring in opposition to Tunisia within the group stage. He now has 4 in his final 4 matches.
Nigeria are additionally the event’s high scorers total with 14 targets in complete after Adams made it 2-0 — Osimhen was launched in behind and unselfishly squared for the Sevilla striker to spherical Zidane and end for his second aim in as many video games.
Adams might have had one other as he headed off the submit when Osimhen held the ball up for him from the road, whereas Algeria by no means actually seemed coming again.
Tensions spilled over between the groups on the pitch at full-time, however it’s subsequent cease Rabat for the Tremendous Eagles.