Mahrez Eyes Nigeria AFCON 2025 Showdown in Marrakech, Recalls 2019 Free-Kick Heroics
The Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal between Algeria and Nigeria at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech carries echoes of history.
Riyad Mahrez, captain of Algeria, knows this fixture well, his stunning last-minute free kick in Cairo back in 2019 sealed a dramatic semi-final victory that knocked Nigeria out and sent the Desert Foxes to the final, where they eventually lifted the trophy.
Seven years later, Mahrez once again finds himself preparing to face the Super Eagles, this time in the quarter-finals.
Reflecting on Algeria’s hard-fought 1–0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16, he insisted his side deserved to progress.
‘I think over the whole game, if the scales were to tip one way, it was ours. We played against a good Congolese team, who played with cohesion and left little space, but we were solid. We didn’t concede many chances, and we always know that we have players capable of making the difference,’ he said.
Turning his attention to Nigeria, Mahrez acknowledged the challenge ahead: ‘Nigeria? We know them well, the match will not be easy. A free kick in the last minute again? We will see, everything is possible’
