Algeria coach reveals plan to stop Super Eagles in AFCON quarter-final

Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković says his team must be at their absolute best defensively and offensively to beat Nigeria in Saturday's AFCON 2025 quarter-final clash at Grande Stade de Marrakech. The two former champions battle for a semi-final spot with both teams unbeaten in Morocco so far.

Nigeria have impressed with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen scoring freely, while Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Akor Adams, and Calvin Bassey have also caught the eye. Algeria's Eric Chelle is the only other coach yet to taste defeat at this tournament.

Petković emphasized mentality as the foundation: "The most important thing is the state of mind. It all starts from there, and from that point of view, we are irreproachable." He stressed tomorrow's match demands equal excellence in both defense and attack.

With both teams in strong form, this quarter-final pits two of Africa's powerhouses against each other early in the knockout stage. Who will advance to face the winner of the other quarter-final in the semi-finals?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/09/afcon-2025-how-algeria-can-beat-super-eagles-petkovic/