Morocco's gaffer Walid Regragui stirred the pot ahead of the AFCON 2025 knockout clash, openly backing Algeria to dump Nigeria despite the Super Eagles' blistering form.
The Atlas Lions boss dropped his hot take during a tense buildup to Nigeria vs Algeria, citing North African grit as the edge in Marrakech's cauldron.
Regragui hailed Algeria's rock-solid backline – just one goal shipped in four games – as the nightmare matchup for Nigeria's free-scoring attack led by Osimhen and Lookman. Dismissing Naija's 12-goal tear, he predicted Mahrez's Desert Warriors grind out a win, leaning on their flawless group run and extra-time heroics over DR Congo. "Algeria's defence is tournament-tight; they edge this one," he declared, fueling spicy rivalry ahead of the January 10 showdown.
Nigeria, topping scorers with three regulation wins, face Algeria's bogey status – four wins in nine head-to-heads, including a humiliating 5-1 past thrashing. Pundits split: some fancy Lookman's three-goal streak and Osimhen's threat to pierce Luca Zidane's net, others see Petkovic's men holding for penalties. Both unbeaten through knockouts, expect goals both ways in a semi-final ticket scrap.
Socials erupted with Naija fans blasting Regragui's shade as Morocco sour grapes post their group exit, while Algerian supporters chanted victory laps. Betting markets tilt Nigeria slight favorites at evens, but head-to-head history screams caution in this heavyweight North-West Africa duel. Kickoff looms with semifinals beckoning the survivor.