As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare to face Algeria’s Desert Foxes in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals, attention turns to one of Africa’s most storied rivalries, Softfootball reports.
Nigeria and Algeria have crossed paths nine times at the Africa Cup of Nations, producing drama, heartbreak, and iconic moments. While Algeria hold a narrow historical edge, Nigeria’s current form suggests this contest could swing either way.
AFCON Head-to-Head: Nigeria vs Algeria
- 1980: Nigeria 3–0 Algeria ✅
- 1982: Nigeria 1–2 Algeria ❌
- 1984: Nigeria 0–0 Algeria 🤝
- 1988: Nigeria 1–1 Algeria 🤝
- 1990 (Group): Nigeria 1–5 Algeria ❌
- 1990 (Final): Nigeria 0–1 Algeria ❌
- 2002: Nigeria 1–0 Algeria ✅
- 2010: Nigeria 1–0 Algeria ✅
- 2019: Nigeria 1–2 Algeria ❌
Overall AFCON Record:
- Nigeria wins: 3
- Algeria wins: 4
- Draws: 2
Historically, the balance tilts slightly in Algeria’s favour. However, AFCON 2025 tells a different story.
Nigeria arrive in the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion, having maintained a 100% record so far. The Super Eagles topped Group C with maximum points after victories over Tanzania (2–1), Tunisia (3–2), and Uganda (3–1), before dismantling Mozambique 4–0 in the Round of 16.
Algeria, on the other hand, remain a disciplined and defensively solid side, known for thriving in high-pressure knockout games. On paper, Algeria may have impressed most overall, but Nigeria’s momentum and attacking firepower make them a serious threat.
With confidence high and history ready to be rewritten, the big question remains, Will the Super Eagles soar past the Desert Foxes, or will Algeria once again prove Nigeria’s AFCON nemesis?
