Algeria booked a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after edging past DR Congo in a tense Round of 16 encounter decided in extra time.
The tightly contested fixture, played at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, was settled by a moment of brilliance from Adil Boulbina, whose stunning strike in extra time handed Algeria a hard-fought 1–0 victory and sent the Desert Foxes into the last eight of the tournament.
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Both sides approached the match with caution from the opening whistle, resulting in a largely tactical first half dominated by midfield battles and strong defensive organisation.
Algeria enjoyed more possession, probing patiently for openings, while DR Congo remained compact and disciplined, ready to spring forward on the counter.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes, and the scoreline remained unchanged at half-time.
The intensity increased after the restart, with Algeria pushing higher up the pitch and DR Congo responding with quick transitions, but neither side could find the breakthrough during regulation time.
As fatigue began to set in, the match moved into extra time, where Algeria continued to assert territorial dominance. DR Congo defended deep, showing resilience as the prospect of penalties loomed.
The decisive moment finally arrived deep into extra time when Adil Boulbina produced a sensational right-footed strike from the left side of the box, firing the ball into the top right corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
The goal, assisted by Ramiz Zerrouki, sparked celebrations among the Algerian players and supporters, while DR Congo were left devastated after a valiant defensive display.
Despite a late push from DR Congo in the closing moments, Algeria held firm to secure their passage into the quarter-finals.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated showdown with Nigeria, who have impressed in the knockout stages with commanding performances.
The quarter-final clash between the Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of AFCON 2025, featuring two of the continent’s most formidable sides with a rich history of rivalry on the African stage.
All eyes will now turn to the quarter-finals as Nigeria and Algeria prepare to battle for a place in the semi-finals.
