Super Eagles Arrive Marrakesh Ahead of AFCON Quarter-Final Clash With Algeria
By Queen Madaki
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Marrakesh, Morocco, ahead of their quarter-final encounter against Algeria at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team’s journey to Marrakesh followed a brief standoff on Wednesday, during which players and officials reportedly threatened to boycott the trip over unpaid match allowances.
Nigeria are scheduled to face Algeria on Saturday in Marrakesh, a city located about five hours from Fez, where the Eagles had been camped since the start of the tournament.
The protest prompted swift intervention by the Federal Government, which moved to fast-track the payment of outstanding bonuses owed to the players for their four matches so far in the competition.
Speaking on the issue, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, explained that the delay resulted from the currency conversion process required to transfer funds into foreign currency, which she said was the preference of the players.
She added that the final transfers into the players’ domiciliary accounts would be completed and reflected within a few days.
Following the resolution of the payment issue, the Super Eagles proceeded with their journey to Marrakesh without further disruption.
Saturday’s fixture is expected to be a high-profile encounter, as Nigeria’s attack — the most prolific at the tournament with 12 goals — comes up against an Algerian defence that has conceded just one goal in four matches.
The two sides last met at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, when a late free kick from Riyad Mahrez secured a narrow victory for Algeria, who went on to lift the trophy.
The winner of the quarter-final clash will advance to the semi-finals, where either host nation Morocco or Cameroon awaits.
