Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has expressed confidence because the Desert Foxes put together for a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final in opposition to Nigeria, rekindling one of many event’s most acquainted rivalries.
The 2 former champions face off on Saturday in Marrakech, with Algeria advancing after a dramatic extra-time victory over DR Congo, sealed by Adil Boulbina’s late aim, whereas Nigeria cruised previous Mozambique 4-0 to succeed in the final eight.
Chatting with Ebotola after the DR Congo conflict, Mahrez stated Algeria had managed a lot of the match. “I feel that on the entire recreation, if the scales have been to tilt on one aspect, it was ours,” he famous, praising his workforce’s defensive cohesion and particular person high quality.
“We confronted a great Congolese workforce, who performed with cohesion and left little house, however we have been stable,” Mahrez added, highlighting Algeria’s capability to restrict opponents’ probabilities whereas counting on gamers able to turning video games in decisive moments.
Turning to the upcoming conflict, the previous Manchester Metropolis winger acknowledged the problem posed by the Tremendous Eagles, who’re unbeaten within the event and have been runners-up on the earlier AFCON.
“Nigeria? We all know them properly; the sport is not going to be simple,” Mahrez stated. Requested if the quarter-final may very well be determined by one other dramatic late second, he joked, “A free kick on the final minute once more? We’ll see, something is feasible.”
The match guarantees to be a tightly contested affair, with each side eyeing a spot within the semi-finals and an opportunity to advance towards AFCON glory.
This encounter not solely revives recollections of their 2019 semi-final conflict, when Mahrez’s stoppage-time free-kick despatched Algeria to the ultimate, but in addition units the stage for an additional high-pressure showdown between two of Africa’s footballing heavyweights.
