Nigeria’s defensive mainstay Bright Osayi-Samuel has expressed total confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to dismantle Algeria’s backline when the two continental giants meet in a high-stakes 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal. Speaking ahead of the clash at the Marrakesh Stadium this Saturday, the Birmingham City full-back dismissed concerns regarding the North Africans’ defensive record, which has seen them concede only one goal throughout their tournament journey.
Osayi-Samuel believes that Nigeria’s current attacking momentum, highlighted by a staggering 12 goals in their last four fixtures, makes them an irresistible force capable of overwhelming even the most disciplined opponents.
The 28-year-old defender highlighted that the squad’s primary objective is to maintain their explosive start to matches to avoid the physical and mental strain of extra time or a penalty shootout. While acknowledging Algeria’s technical skill and their hard-fought Round of 16 victory over DR Congo, Osayi-Samuel maintained that the Nigerian delegation remains focused on executing their proactive game plan. The defender’s assessment aligns with the tactical shift under head coach Éric Chelle, who has prioritized ball retention and high-intensity transitions throughout the competition in Morocco.
“You’re facing the best attacking team in Africa, in my opinion, so we’ll do our best to win. We take each game as they come. We understand what’s really on the line, we know that Nigerians are rooting for us to win this match, and we will give our best effort to make sure we come out on top,” Osayi-Samuel told reporters in Marrakesh.
The Birmingham City star further elaborated on the team’s strategy to dictate the tempo of the game from the opening whistle. He noted that the Super Eagles have consistently demonstrated their ability to capitalize on early pressure, a trait they intend to leverage against the Desert Warriors. Despite the historical rivalry and Algeria’s reputation for strategic game management, the Nigerian camp remains convinced that their depth and clinical finishing provide a decisive edge in this knockout scenario.
“I think the goal is to make sure we don’t arrive first, so we can try to win before penalties, even before extra time. Because if you look at how we began the games, we started strong, and you want to do that against Algeria,” the full-back added.
Reflecting on the opposition’s qualities, Osayi-Samuel praised the skilled individuals within the Algerian ranks, specifically referencing their recent defensive resilience. However, he remains steadfast in his belief that the Super Eagles possess the superior tactical tools to secure a semi-final berth. As the teams prepare for the 5:00 PM local kick-off, the Nigerian side carries the weight of national expectation, aiming to reach the final four for the second consecutive tournament.
“Great team, very good team. They haven’t conceded, I saw the last match, and they are really skilled players. I believe we have the ability to win the game,” he concluded.
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