Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set for a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final showdown with Algeria on Saturday, but three key players must tread carefully to avoid disciplinary action.
Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Calvin Bassey are each one yellow card away from suspension after receiving bookings during Nigeria’s commanding Round of 16 victory over Mozambique’s Mambas. Any further caution in the upcoming game would rule them out of the semi-final if the Super Eagles advance.
The quarter-final winner will face either Morocco or Cameroon in the semi-finals, raising the stakes for Nigeria’s leaders on the pitch. The clash with the Desert Foxes is scheduled for 5 pm Nigerian time at Marrakech Stadium.
Confidence is high within the Nigerian squad after their emphatic 4-0 win over Mozambique. The match was particularly special for central defender Semi Ajayi, who celebrated his 50th appearance for the three-time African champions.
Ajayi, born in London and a former Nigeria Under-20 international, made his senior debut in September 2018 during an AFCON qualifier against Seychelles, coming on as a late substitute for Chidozie Awaziem.
At the 2025 AFCON, Ajayi has been a standout performer for Nigeria. He earned the Man of the Match award in the opening game against Tanzania and scored his first goal of the tournament. After missing the final group game against Uganda, he returned to help Nigeria secure their first clean sheet of the competition against Mozambique.
“That’s what we’ve been striving for. As a defender, clean sheets are always a point of pride, so achieving one today felt really good,” Ajayi told reporters after the match. “There are still areas to improve, but the team is getting better with each game, and we’re looking forward to doing even more in the next match.”
Ajayi also praised his partnership with Calvin Bassey, highlighting the strong understanding between them. “We’ve played many games together and know how each other operates. We constantly push each other to improve, and we’ll continue to do so for the next game,” he added.
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