Impressive Nigeria outplay Algeria to book semi-final spot

MARRAKECH, Morocco, Jan 10 : ‌Strikers Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams grabbed second-half goals as Nigeria powered to a deserved 2-0 victory over Algeria in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final to set up a meeting with hosts Morocco in the last four.

Osimhen steered home a long cross from the left by Bruno Onyemaechi two minutes into the second half as Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane made a bizarre jump to try and stop the effort but ended up getting his angles wrong and conceding an easy ‌goal.

Adams increased Nigeria’s lead 10 minutes later as Osimhen unselfishly fed him ‌the ball and he took it round Zidane before placing it into an empty net.

It was an impressive performance by Nigeria, who two months ago missed out on World Cup qualification, as they overwhelmed their opponents from the start at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, looking more determined, quicker around the field and stronger in the challenges, and denying their opponents a single scoring chance.

Algeria were already hanging on grimly in the first ‍half with Nigeria having good chances to be ahead at the break.

Algeria centre back Ramy Bensebaini cleared off the line in the 29th minute from Calvin Bassey after the depth of Ademola Lookman’s free kick was misjudged by Zidane and the Nigeria fullback was able to steer an effort goalward from a tight angle. 

NIGERIA MISS CHANCES TO ​SECURE BIGGER VICTORY

Bensebaini hooked it clear, although ‌television replays looked to show the whole circumference of the ball had crossed the line. A VAR check in the absence of goalline technology, however, did not award a goal.

In the 37th minute, ​a poor clearance from Zidane to full back Aissa Mandi was intercepted by Alex Iwobi who quickly fed the ball ⁠to Adams, but the