Algeria beats DR Congo 1-0 in AFCON extra time to set up Nigeria quarter-final
Algeria secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over DR Congo in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie on Tuesday, with substitute Adil Boulbina scoring a thunderous strike deep in extra time at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The game was heading to penalties when Boulbina, a forward who plays club football in Qatar, received a pass from Ramiz Zerrouki in the 119th minute and unleashed a vicious shot into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the 18,837 fans in attendance.
The 2019 champions, who won all their group games, now face a fascinating quarter-final showdown with Nigeria's Super Eagles, led by Victor Osimhen, in Marrakesh on Saturday. This sets up a rematch of sorts, as DR Congo had defeated Nigeria on penalties in a World Cup qualifying play-off in November. The Leopards will now focus on their intercontinental play-off in March against either New Caledonia or Jamaica, where a win would see them qualify for their first World Cup since 1974.
Despite the quality attacking talent on display, including Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez, the match lacked intensity until the dying moments. DR Congo's Axel Tuanzebe and Algeria's Ibrahim Maza both had chances in a game that drifted to extra time. Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane made a key save from Edo Kaymbe's long-range effort, while Congolese keeper Lionel Mpasi denied Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah late on.
With both teams already qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals in North America, the focus now turns to Saturday's high-stakes encounter in Marrakesh. Who will prevail—Algeria's experienced squad or Nigeria's young guns led by Osimhen?