ALGERIA scored deep into extra-time in Rabat tonight to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the round of 16 of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), setting up a quarter-final clash with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Adil Boulbina’s goal with one minute left of extra-time was enough to settle the hard-fought encounter in the Moroccan capital.
Played in down the left by fellow substitute Ramiz Zerrouki, Boulbina outpaced a tired-looking Aaron Wan-Bissaka, cut back inside and unleashed an unstoppable right-footed drive that whipped over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and went in off the underside of the bar for the only goal of the game.
The result, which leaves the Congolese still looking for their first-ever win over Algeria, was harsh on the Central Africans.
Having competed throughout an even contest in Rabat they looked to have earned themselves what appeared an inevitable penalty shootout before Boulbina’s intervention.
In a game of few chances, with defences were on top, France idol Zinedine Zidane was once again in attendance to watch his son Luca keep a fourth clean sheet of the tournament for Les Fennecs.
With such a miserly rearguard, the 2019 AFCON champions will fancy their chances against the free-scoring quarter-final Super Eagles in Marrakesh on Saturday.
Algeria defeated the Super Eagles in the semi-finals of the 2019 AFCON and the final of the 1990 AFCON, the only two times the North Africans have won the title.