Vladimir Petkovic, coach of Algeria during 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Algeria Training in Rabat, Morocco on the 05 January 2026 ©Majt Esseddik/BackpagePix
Thursday Jan 08, 2026. 15:00
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković is eagerly awaiting his side’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal clash against Nigeria.
They are set to face one another at the Stade de Marrakech in Marrakesh on Saturday.
The two sides last met at the continental showpiece in the 2019 edition, where Algeria defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-finals, going on to claim the title.
The Fennecs also claimed a 2-1 victory in the last meeting between the two sides, which came in an international friendly in September 2022.
The two sides were the only two nations to claim maximum points and win all three of their group stage games at this edition of AFCON.
Nigeria has shown more attacking threat, scoring 12 goals while Algeria has scored eight in the competition so far.
The Super Eagles, however, have only managed one clean sheet, conceding four goals to The Fennecs’ one.
Speaking after his side’s dramatic extra-time win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 16 on Tuesday, Petković stated that he is looking forward to the fixture.
“We will start preparing for the match against Nigeria right now by focusing on our strengths,” said Petković.
“I like these kinds of matches because they demand hard work and intensity against teams that are aiming for the title.”
The match-up could provide the game of the tournament as both sides seek to remain unbeaten on their quest for continental silverware.
By Nic Gleeson