This Saturday, January 10th, the Marrakech stadium will be the stage for one of the most iconic duels in African football. By facing each other for the tenth time in the final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria and Nigeria are not just playing for a place in the semi-finals: they are reigniting a historic rivalry that began more than 40 years ago.

1980: The Super Eagles' triumph in Lagos

It all began on March 22, 1980. In front of a crowd of 85,000 ecstatic fans, Nigeria dominated the final against an Algerian team exhausted by failing logistics.

1. The score: 3-0 for Nigeria.
2. The context: The Algerians had to travel by bus without an escort and stay in precarious conditions.
3. The impact: Despite the defeat, this final marks the beginning of Algeria's "golden age", which would go on to include two World Cups (1982, 1986).

1990: Algiers' Revenge

Ten years later, the roles are reversed. In the cauldron of the July 5 Stadium, 105,000 spectators witness the Fennecs' first continental triumph.

1. The hero: Chérif Oudjani, who scored a powerful strike just before halftime.
2. Domination: Algeria, led by Rabah Madjer and Djamel Menad, was untouchable, finishing the competition with the best attack and the best defense.
3. The score: 1-0 for Algeria.

2019: Mahrez's stroke of genius

After years of waiting, the two nations met in Cairo for an epic semi-final. Under the guidance of Djamel Belmadi, Algeria played an attacking style of football that ultimately broke down Nigeria's resistance.

1. The turning point: With the score at 1-1, Riyad Mahrez unleashed a masterful free kick into the top corner during added time.
2. The rest: This success (2-1) propels the Fennecs towards their second star, obtained a few days later against Senegal.

The stakes of the 2025 quarter-final

Nigeria, with its three titles (1980, 1994, 2013), faces Algeria and its two crowns (1990, 2019). History will be written again on Saturday in Marrakech. While Nigeria wants to erase the memory of Mahrez's free kick, Algeria seeks to reaffirm its renewed supremacy on the continent.

Did you know? In the three major confrontations mentioned (1980, 1990, 2019), the winner of this duel systematically lifted the trophy at the end of the competition.