Nigeria’s confidence is on the rise at AFCON 2025, with star forward Ademola Lookman insisting the Super Eagles are ready for the stern challenge posed by Algeria in Saturday’s quarter-final showdown.
Lookman, who has been at the heart of Nigeria’s attacking play in Morocco, was speaking after another impressive performance from the Eagles that has helped shape their path into the last eight. The Atalanta forward, already a standout performer this tournament, has scored three goals and provided five assists so far, taking his overall Africa Cup of Nations tally to seven goals and earning multiple Man of the Match honours along the way.
“It’s been great,” Lookman told reporters after Nigeria’s most recent outing. “The team is improving every single game. It’s all goals today, so that’s positive for us.” His comments underscored the self-belief running through the squad following a commanding 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16, powered by Lookman’s goal and assist contributions alongside the blistering form of Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
Speaking ahead of the high-stakes match against Algeria — the 2019 AFCON champions — Lookman acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but insisted the Super Eagles are ready to meet it head-on. “The quarter-finals of the AFCON is something to look forward to,” he said. “Another big battle awaits us, so we need to be ready.”
Lookman also played down recent speculation about tension within the squad following an on-field exchange with Osimhen, emphasising that such moments are part of competitive football. “Nothing happened, just a discussion on the pitch. That’s it,” he said. “In football, these things happen and you move on.”
His focus, he said, remains firmly on representing his country with pride. “I get the opportunity to represent my country, and I know how much weight that bears,” Lookman explained. “So I try to use that pressure and try to perform.”
Lookman also stressed the physicality and tactical demands expected from the Algeria match. “Everyone is physically strong,” he added. “It’s about meeting them on the field, being intelligent, and being ready. Same mentality from the team — same mentality to win, to be aggressive on the ball.”
Nigeria will face Algeria at the Marrakech Stadium on Saturday, setting up what promises to be one of the most compelling fixtures of the AFCON quarter-finals. Algeria secured their berth with a dramatic extra-time victory over DR Congo, courtesy of a late winner by Adel Boulbina, and arrive with defensive discipline and experience that will test Nigeria’s free-flowing attack.
