By Our reporter 9.1.2026
Algerian top striker Riyad Mahrez has raised concern over the current form of the Super Eagles he and his Desert Warriors will be facing on Saturday in the quarterfinal of the Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Mahrez was the hero for his country when they eliminated the Super Eagles in the semi-final of the 2019 tournament in Egypt. But according to him the Super Eagles in 2025 are a class different and it would be an interesting contest.
“The current Nigeria team is better offensively than the one in 2019. There are a lot of good players in this team,” Mahrez said who hinted that he could be playing in his last AFCON.
“We also have a very good team, and we will give our best to make our supporters happy. It will be a super match.”
Meanwhile Super Eagles attacking midfielder Moses Simon believes he and his teammates can pass the Algerian test and go on to the final. This is the first time the Super Eagles would be meeting a top rated in the tournament.
He noted that the Super Eagles will indeed face a new kind of competition.
“The past is behind us. Our focus is on the present, and our goal is to win,” Simon told reporters in Marrakech.
Nigeria and Algeria boast some of the best talents on the continent. While the Desert Foxes have stars like Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Ismaël Bennacer, and Rayan Aït-Nouri, the Super Eagles counter with the likes of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Calvin Bassey, and Alex Iwobi.
Super Eagles players...enjoying good form in Morocco.