This quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria was hot from start to finish. While the Super Eagles logically won thanks to a great Victor Osimhen (2-0), scuffles broke out on the pitch and in the stands.
From the final whistle, the tone rose between the two teams and an electric scene then erupted. Luca Zidane, who was among the most tense, grabbed Raphael Onyedika by the jersey and then argued heatedly with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru while some members of the two staffs and a few players tried to separate them.
Other representatives of the Algerian staff headed towards the refereeing body to protest. The cause was certainly Junior Ajayi’s hand in his area just before the quarter-hour mark, not whistled by the Senegalese referee Issa Sy and not seen by the VAR.
The match referee was then escorted by security to leave the pitch even though he was not targeted. In the stands, things also got heated between the supporters of Nigeria and those of Algeria. Security members also explained themselves to fans who were a little too angry.
And obviously, in the mixed zone, the tension had not subsided since some journalists also explained themselves eagerly while waiting for the players.
Nigeria then celebrated their victory
Despite these little tensions, Victor Osimhen’s teammates did not lose their smile and celebrated their victory in the locker room by singing and dancing.
The Super Eagles will meet Morocco in a summit semi-final next week to try to reach the final and win the CAN for the first time since 2013.
