Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a thrilling place in the semi finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after a hard fought victory over Algeria, powered by an inspirational performance from Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker once again proved his value on the continental stage, scoring the decisive goal and leading from the front in a tense encounter.
From the opening whistle, the match lived up to its billing as a clash of African heavyweights. Algeria dominated early possession, but Nigeria’s disciplined defence kept their shape, absorbing pressure and waiting for the right moment to strike.
That moment came midway through the first half when Osimhen latched onto a through ball from Ademola Lookman, shrugged off his marker and finished calmly past the Algerian goalkeeper. The goal sent Nigerian fans into wild celebrations and shifted the momentum firmly in the Super Eagles’ favour.
In the second half, Algeria pushed hard for an equaliser, throwing numbers forward and testing Nigeria’s goalkeeper with a series of long range shots. But the Eagles held firm, with the midfield working tirelessly to close down space and frustrate their opponents.
After the final whistle, head coach Jose Peseiro praised his players for their discipline and fighting spirit, describing the win as a statement of intent. He said the team was now fully focused on the semi final challenge, stressing that their ultimate goal remains lifting the trophy.
Osimhen, named man of the match, dedicated the victory to Nigerian fans at home and in the diaspora. He said the team feels the weight of national expectations and is determined to reward that faith with strong performances.
The win has reignited hope across Nigeria, with supporters flooding social media to celebrate the team’s progress. As the Super Eagles prepare for the semi finals, belief is growing that this could be a defining tournament for a new generation of Nigerian footballers.
