AFCON: Osimhen helps Nigeria into semi-finals

Victor Osimhen inspired Nigeria to a 2-0 victory over Algeria to secure a place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, where they will face hosts Morocco. The Super Eagles, beaten finalists two years ago, produced a dominant display in Marrakesh, with Osimhen scoring one goal and creating the other.

Nigeria controlled much of the first half, repeatedly threatening through Osimhen, Akor Adams and Ademola Lookman. Algeria, organised and compact, relied on quick transitions but rarely troubled goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. The best chance before the break fell to Adams, who went through on goal from an Alex Iwobi cross but lifted his effort over Luca Zidane’s bar.

The breakthrough arrived almost immediately after half-time. Left-back Bruno Onyemaechi found space on the flank and delivered a precise cross to the back post, where Osimhen rose high to power a downward header past Zidane for his fourth goal of the tournament. The strike released the tension and tilted the contest decisively in Nigeria’s favour.

Ten minutes later, Osimhen again proved decisive. After Nigeria won the ball in midfield, Iwobi split the defence with an outside-of-the-boot pass to Osimhen. Showing awareness and unselfishness, the Galatasaray forward squared the ball to Adams, who rounded Zidane and finished into an empty net to make it 2-0.

Algeria failed to mount a meaningful response as Nigeria managed the closing stages comfortably, with Adams even striking the post late on. The result sends Nigeria into their 16th AFCON semi-final appearance, setting up a last-four clash with Morocco as they continue their pursuit of a first continental title since 2013.