AFCON 2025: Five men who could decide Nigeria vs Algeria quarter-final clash

At this stage of AFCON 2025, matches are rarely won by teams alone; they are decided by moments, personalities, and players brave enough to seize the night

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached its sharpest edge. At this stage, there are no margins for error, no second legs, no room for redemption. One bad night, one lapse in concentration, and four weeks of hard work evaporate into a long journey home.

After dismantling Mozambique 4–0 at the Complexe de Fès, the Super Eagles of Nigeria now face a far sterner examination. Standing in their way are the Fennec Foxes of Algeria in a blockbuster quarter-final at the Stade de Marrakech.

It is a clash steeped in history, quality, and unfinished business.

Nigeria and Algeria are two of Africa’s most decorated footballing nations, and their meeting at this business end of AFCON 2025 feels fitting. Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Morocco, Mali, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon have also secured their places in the last eight; a reminder that only the elite remain.

Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, PREMIUM TIMES highlights five players capable of swinging the contest either way.

AFCON 2025 Quarter-Final: Five players who could define Nigeria vs Algeria

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

He may no longer rely on raw pace, but intelligence, technique, and experience have ensured that Riyad Mahrez remains Algeria’s heartbeat.

The ex-Manchester City winger has already scored three goals at AFCON 2025; Algeria’s highest tally and second overall in the tournament behind Morocco’s Brahim Díaz.

For Nigerian fans, Mahrez’s name still triggers painful memories. His 95th-minute free kick eliminated Nigeria at the semi-final stage of AFCON 2019. Now 34, the winger has made it clear he would relish the chance to repeat history if the moment presents itself.

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

There has arguably been no brighter star at AFCON 2025 than Ademola Lookman.

The Atalanta forward has been devastating, scoring three goals and providing four assists in just three games. Across 11 AFCON appearances, he now boasts six goals and five assists, elite numbers on the continental stage.

Lookman thrives under pressure. Big games sharpen his edge, and tomorrow offers another platform for him to dictate tempo, torment defenders, and tilt the balance in Nigeria’s favour. His inclusion in the AFCON Group Stage Best XI, alongside head coach Eric Chelle, underlines his tournament-defining influence.

Luca Zidane (Algeria)

The Zidane name alone guarantees attention, and Algeria’s AFCON 2025 squad has brought a familiar surname back into the Moroccan spotlight through Luca Zidane, son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane.

But this is not about legacy alone. The Granada goalkeeper has been outstanding so far, keeping three clean sheets in four matches and conceding just one goal throughout the tournament.

Zidane has looked calm, commanding, and extremely difficult to beat. For all of Nigeria’s attacking firepower, 12 goals in four games, breaking past Algeria’s last line of defence will require precision, patience, and ruthless execution.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Relentless. Aggressive. Uncompromising.

Victor Osimhen has also scored three goals at AFCON 2025, and his impact goes far beyond numbers. The Galatasaray striker presses defenders into mistakes, forces chaos in the final third, and never allows opposition backlines a moment of comfort.

There is personal history at stake, too. Osimhen is now four goals away from becoming the Super Eagles’ all-time leading goalscorer. A quarter-final against Algeria, on one of Africa’s biggest stages, is exactly the sort of moment he has built his career on.

Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

He may not dominate headlines or trend on social media, but Alex Iwobi remains the engine room of Eric Chelle’s Nigeria.

In possession, no other Nigerian player sees the game quite like the Fulham midfielder. His line-breaking passes, spatial awareness, and calm decision-making at Afcon 2025 dictate how quickly Nigeria transition from defence to attack.

If Algeria focus solely on stopping Lookman and Osimhen, Iwobi could quietly punish them, pulling strings, opening lanes, and ensuring Nigeria’s attacking rhythm never stalls.

Everything on the line

Nigeria vs Algeria is not just another quarter-final. It is a meeting of pedigree, ambition, and continental pride. Both sides arrive unbeaten. Both believe this could be their year.

At this stage of AFCON 2025, matches are rarely won by teams alone; they are decided by moments, personalities, and players brave enough to seize the night.

Saturday in Marrakech, these five men may decide who stays and who goes home.