Morocco 2025: AFCON’s most feared rivalry returns

Saturday’s third quarter-final of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations is expected to be the most exciting of the last-eight matches as Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Algeria’s Fennecs.

This will be the 23rd senior-level meeting between both teams since their first clash at the 2nd All-Africa Games in Lagos 55 years ago.

Matches between Nigeria and Algeria over the years have often been dramatic, producing surprising results, late twists, memorable comebacks and standout performances from top players.

The game in Marrakech will mark the 10th time both countries are meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations. Out of the previous nine encounters, Nigeria have won three, Algeria have won four, while two ended in draws.

One of the draws was the controversial Bouake match in 1984, where both teams were accused of deliberately playing out a scoreless draw to qualify for the semi-finals and knock out defending champions Ghana.

Nigeria beat Algeria to win their first AFCON title at home in 1980. Ten years later, Algeria returned the favour by defeating Nigeria to win their first AFCON title on home soil.

Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth-largest city, will host this latest chapter in what remains one of Africa’s fiercest football rivalries.