Super Eagles dismiss rift, eye Algeria revenge clash

The Nigeria Super Eagles have moved quickly to dismiss reports of a rift in the camp following Monday night’s 4–0 thrashing of Mozambique’s Mambas, which secured the three-time African champions a place in the AFCON quarter-finals in Morocco. Speculation erupted after striker Victor Osimhen appeared to gesture at teammate Ademola Lookman just before a corner […]

The Nigeria Super Eagles have moved quickly to dismiss reports of a rift in the camp following Monday night’s 4–0 thrashing of Mozambique’s Mambas, which secured the three-time African champions a place in the AFCON quarter-finals in Morocco.

Speculation erupted after striker Victor Osimhen appeared to gesture at teammate Ademola Lookman just before a corner kick, sparking debate across social and legacy media.

“There is no problem whatsoever in our camp. Whatever people saw as a crisis between two brothers was easily resolved a couple of hours later. All is good and we are presently at training,” Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor said yesterday evening.

Achor also refuted claims that striker Jerome Akor Adams, who scored his first-ever AFCON goal on Monday, had abandoned the team. “He took permission to go and see his mother who was hospitalized here in Fès, and returned in less than an hour,” he added.

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On the field, Nigeria’s stars delivered a masterclass. Deputy captain Osimhen scored twice, taking his tally to 34 goals in 50 appearances, just three shy of Rashidi Yekini’s national record. Lookman, who had contributed two goals and two assists earlier in the tournament, added another goal and three assists against Mozambique, cementing his role as one of the team’s key playmakers.

All 26 available players participated in Tuesday’s  evening’s training session at the Sardienne Complex, with young defender Ryan Alebiosu continuing his recovery.

Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde admitted his side was outplayed. “It was an extremely difficult match. We expected challenges, but not of this magnitude against such a strong and organised Nigerian side,” Conde said.

He explained that Mozambique struggled early, failing to maintain possession or dictate play as Nigeria applied sustained attacking pressure.

“From the opening minutes, we could not impose our game. Players meant to control the match did not perform at their usual level,” he said.

Conde praised Nigeria’s tactical discipline and clinical finishing, noting their ability to capitalise on mistakes.

In the same vein, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle hailed his team for the convincing win.

“I’m happy with the victory, of course, but we have to be honest with ourselves. We have done nothing yet. We have simply won one game. If we want to be ambitious, we must continue to improve and maintain this level of quality on the pitch. Football is about consistency.

“I want to give credit to my team. We were very good in possession. We controlled the ball throughout the entire first half. Every time we lost the ball, we applied strong pressure on the opponent. We succeeded because we put in all the right ingredients,” he said.

The minor on-pitch tension involving Osimhen has also been addressed by the camp. After showing frustration during a sequence of attacking moves, he squared up to Lookman, prompting intervention from captain Wilfred Ndidi and even Mozambique’s Reinildo. Osimhen later requested substitution and reportedly sat alone on the bus after the match.

“This has been resolved,” Achor reassured, emphasizing that the team’s focus remains on advancing in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are set to face Algeria in the AFCON quarter-finals, a chance to settle old scores after Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick ended Nigeria’s campaign three editions ago.

Algeria secured their place in the last eight with a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over DR Congo. Both sides were deadlocked in regulation time, and it seemed penalties might be required. But in the 119th minute, Adil Boulbina struck to break DR Congo’s hearts and send the Foxes through.

When the knockout stage draw was announced, Nigerian fans knew that a win over Mozambique would set up a rematch with either Algeria or DR Congo. The Foxes, of course, were responsible for Nigeria’s 2019 AFCON heartbreak via Mahrez’s decisive free-kick, while the Leopards had previously ended Nigeria’s World Cup hopes.

Nigeria and Algeria share one of African football’s most closely contested rivalries. As at the time of this report, the two nations have clashed in 22 senior men’s international matches, with both sides recording nine wins each and four matches ending in draws. This record reflects the intensity and balance that has long defined encounters between these footballing powerhouses.

Although Nigeria historically dominated the rivalry, Algeria has gained the upper hand in recent years, winning the last four encounters. Key results include Algeria 2–1 Nigeria (International Friendly, September 27, 2022), Algeria 1–0 Nigeria (International Friendly, October 9, 2020), Algeria 2–1 Nigeria (AFCON Semifinal, July 14, 2019) – highlighted by Riyad Mahrez’s dramatic 95th-minute free-kick – and Algeria 3–0 Nigeria (World Cup Qualifier, November 10, 2017), a match originally drawn 1–1 but later awarded to Algeria after Nigeria fielded an ineligible player.

Now, fate has put Algeria back in Nigeria’s path. The Super Eagles will face the Foxes on Saturday, January 10th, at the Grande Stade de Marrakech. Victory will not only offer a measure of revenge but also a chance to progress toward the tournament’s latter stages.

The winner of the clash will advance to the semi-final to face either Morocco or Cameroon, keeping Nigeria’s ambitions for continental glory very much alive.