Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic says he is relishing the challenge of facing Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Fennec Foxes booked their place in the last eight on Tuesday after edging past DR Congo in extra time, with Adil Boulbina scoring a dramatic winner in the 119th minute to seal victory.
Nigeria had already secured qualification a day earlier with a dominant 4-0 win over Mozambique, meaning the quarter-final pairing was only confirmed after Algeria’s late success.
Vladimir Petkovic is coaching in his first ever AFCON. Photo Credit: Getty Images
The two sides will now meet at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday in what is shaping up to be one of the standout fixtures of the tournament.
Petkovic said his focus would be on preparing his team to meet the demands posed by Nigeria’s attacking threat.
“We will start preparing for the match against Nigeria right now by focusing on our strengths,” he said.
“I like these kinds of matches because they demand hard work and intensity against teams that are aiming for the title.”
Both nations arrive at the quarter-finals having topped their respective groups and impressed throughout the competition.
Vladimir Petkovic was appointed in 2024 and has lost only one competitive match with the desert foxes while winning 19 and drawing 3. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Nigeria boast the most prolific attack at AFCON 2025, scoring 12 goals in four matches, while Algeria have conceded just once so far, giving them the tournament’s strongest defensive record.
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Nigeria may also hold a slight physical advantage, having played their round-of-16 match 24 hours earlier. Algeria’s 120-minute battle with DR Congo could test their recovery time ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
The desert foxes celebrating their win against DR Congo last night. Photo Credit: AFP
The match will renew a rivalry that last played out at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, when a late Riyad Mahrez free-kick sent Algeria past Nigeria and on their way to lifting the trophy.
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Much has changed since then, with both teams now under different coaches and featuring new generations of players. Despite Nigeria’s attacking depth, Petkovic remains confident his side can rise to the occasion in what he expects to be a high-intensity contest.
