Although the Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria in the AFCON 2025 semi-final, tempers flared between both sides at Stade de Marrakech last night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams put daylight between both sides, with Algeria’s first attempt of the game coming in the 78th minute.
Still, Vlaidimir Petkovic’s men failed to trouble Stanley Nwabali. At full time, however, when the players were exchanging pleasantries, things escalated very quickly.
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Luca Zidane caught up in Nigeria–Algeria clash
Zinedine Zidane’s son, Luca, was in goal for the Fennec Foxes, but he kicked off the row by shoving Raphael Onyedika, but the Club Brugge midfielder didn’t take kindly to the act.
He attempted to hit back, but was quickly surrounded by several Algerian players who jumped in to defend Zidane.
Stanley Nwabali, Paul Onuachu, Chidozie Awaziem and Francis Uzoho also jumped in to separate what had already turned into a full brawl at Stade de Marrakech.
While the on-pitch situation was being sorted, the chaos didn’t stop there. The Algerian players went after the Senegalese referee Issa Sy for not giving a penalty for a Semi Ajayi handball in the first half.
The 41-year-old had to be escorted out of the game for his safety after the Algerian fans clashed with stadium security.
Again, it didn’t stop there. In the mixed zone, an Algerian journalist was seen attacking a Nigerian journalist, before the whole situation was contained.
The Moroccan security forces eventually came in to contain the situation, but two Algerian journalists were detained for further interrogation.
The chaos was cross-continental as well. Security officers were called to get involved in Marseille, France, as Algerians and Nigerians clashed on the streets after they were seen burning jerseys of each other’s teams.
