Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic has admitted that Nigeria were the better side and fully deserved their 2-0 victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarter-final played at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.
From live match observation, tactical replays, and post-game data analysis tools, Nigeria’s control of the game became evident shortly after the restart.
The Super Eagles sealed their place in the semi-finals with goals from Victor Osimhen early in the second half and Akor Adams minutes later. The strikes capped a dominant display against an Algerian team that had conceded just one goal in the tournament prior to the encounter.
Nigeria’s intensity, pressing, and physical dominance disrupted Algeria’s rhythm and exposed gaps that had not been visible in their earlier matches.
Speaking during his post-match press conference, Petkovic offered a candid assessment of the contest.
“Do I have to tell the truth or should I be political [about the match]?” he asked rhetorically.
“Nigeria deserved to win this match. They were better than us. It was difficult to get into this match. We were hit left and right.”
The Algerian coach, while disappointed with the result, praised his players for their overall performance at the tournament. He acknowledged, however, that Nigeria’s relentless pressure left the Desert Foxes disorganised, particularly in the first half.
From pitch-side analysis and match-tracking data, Algeria struggled to string together sustained possession, while Nigeria consistently won second balls and controlled key areas of the pitch.
Vladimir Petkovic noted that his team found it difficult to recover once Nigeria raised the tempo, with the Super Eagles maintaining their intensity until the final whistle.
Nigeria will now turn their attention to a high-profile semi-final clash against tournament hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14.
The Super Eagles are chasing a record-extending fourth AFCON title and will head into the semi-final full of confidence after dispatching one of the tournament’s most defensively solid sides.
Match Coverage Note
This report was compiled using live broadcast analysis, tactical replays, press conference transcripts, and match-performance tracking tools to ensure accuracy and balance.
