Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has played down comparisons with past encounters, insisting that the forthcoming quarter-final clash against Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be a completely different contest.
Algeria and Nigeria are set to face each other in Marrakech with a place in the semi-finals at stake, rekindling memories of their dramatic meeting at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
On that occasion, Mahrez struck a late free kick to secure a 2–1 victory for the Desert Foxes, sending them into the final en route to lifting the trophy.
However, the former Manchester City winger believes circumstances have changed significantly since then and warned against relying on past results.
“This match against Nigeria will be very different from the one in 2019,” Mahrez said.
“That game was played in Egypt, with different players, a different style of play, and a different venue.”
Mahrez acknowledged Algeria’s strong showing so far in the tournament but stressed that more is required as the competition reaches its decisive stage.
“What we have done so far is very good, but there is still more to do, and we are capable,” he added.
The highly anticipated encounter is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the quarter-final stage, with both African heavyweights targeting a return to the last four of the continent’s premier competition.
