End of suspense. Less than an hour before the kick-off of the CAN 2025 quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria, the official eleven of the Fennecs was revealed this Saturday afternoon. Compared to the lineup lined up against DR Congo last Tuesday in the round of 16 (1-0 ap), Vladimir Petkovic only makes one forced change, since Ismaël Bennacer, out due to a hamstring injury against the Leopards, is replaced by Ramiz Zerrouki in midfield.
Authors of an almost perfect start to the competition, the Greens, back in the quarter-finals of the CAN for the first time since their coronation in 2019, have relied so far on a solid defense, conceding only one small goal in four matches, in the wake of a reassuring Luca Zidane and once again lined up against Nigeria.
Osimhen and Lookman to lead Nigerian attack
They will also be able to count on their star player and captain Riyad Mahrez, who has scored three goals since the start of the continental tournament. The latter will be responsible for leading the Algerian attack alongside Ibrahim Maza and Mohammed Amoura.
The compositions of the 1/4 final of CAN 2025
Algeria: Zidane – Belghaghali, Mandi, Bushbaë-Nouri – Mahrez (sampa.), Maza, Chaïbi – Amoura
Nigeria : Nwabali – Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi – Ndidi (cap.), Onyeka, Iwobi – Lookman – Osimhen, Adams
But the Fennecs rearguard will probably be tested like never before this Saturday at the Grand Stade in Marrakech. Indeed, the Super Eagles, led by a duo of the late Ademola Lookman – Victor Osimhen obviously renewed, occupy the head of the ranking of attacks (12 goals scored) and crushed Mozambique in the round of 16 (4-0).
For his part, Éric Chelle chose not to make any changes to his team, still arranged in 4-3-1-2.
The CAN 2025 quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria can be followed live with commentary on leparisien.fr.
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