Algeria coach Vladimir Petković admitted his side were second best after Nigeria ended the Desert Warriors’ Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 2-0 quarter-final victory in Marrakesh, Soccernet.ng reports.
The contest had been billed as a meeting of two in-form teams. Both sides arrived with perfect records, Nigeria boasting the tournament’s most potent attack and Petković-led Algeria the tightest defence. But that balance tilted decisively in favour of the Super Eagles, who controlled the rhythm of the match from the opening stages.
Nigeria were on top throughout the first half without finding a breakthrough, pinning Algeria back and limiting their space between the lines. The pressure finally told two minutes after the restart when Victor Osimhen rose powerfully to head in Bruno Onyemaechi’s precise cross in the 47th minute.
Ten minutes later, the Galatasaray striker turned provider, squaring unselfishly for Akor Adams to make it 2-0 and effectively settle the contest.
From that point, Algeria struggled to mount any serious response. Nigeria finished the match with 57% of the ball and restricted their opponents to just three attempts on goal, none of which truly tested Stanley Nwabali.
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Petković concedes superiority; Nigeria eye Morocco next
Speaking afterwards, Petković was frank in his assessment of the gap between the two sides.
“Congratulations to Nigeria, they were better than us,” the Bosnian said. “In the first half we were too scattered; in the second half it was a bit better.
“We were missing several things. They didn’t let us dribble. Some refereeing decisions weren’t easy, but our opponent was particularly strong and showed their quality.”
Some Algerian supporters felt their side should have been awarded a first-half penalty when the ball struck Semi Ajayi on the arm, but Petković refused to focus on the incident.
“I don’t want to comment on the referee’s match because it’s pointless, but if you watch what happened in the first half, you’ll understand.”
Despite Petković introducing Baghdad Bounedjah and Anis Hadj Moussa, Algeria found no way through a disciplined Nigerian back line, while late efforts from Ramy Bensebaini and Bounedjah failed to change the outcome.
Nigeria, composed and tactically assured, saw the game out with maturity to book a semi-final meeting with hosts Morocco next Wednesday at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and, on this evidence, they will arrive there full of belief.