{"id":883883,"date":"2026-01-10T06:18:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T12:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/10\/afcon-2025-super-eagles-could-get-big-boost-with-algerias-midfield-engine-in-race-against-time-for-nigeria-showdown\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T06:18:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T12:18:11","slug":"afcon-2025-super-eagles-could-get-big-boost-with-algerias-midfield-engine-in-race-against-time-for-nigeria-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/10\/afcon-2025-super-eagles-could-get-big-boost-with-algerias-midfield-engine-in-race-against-time-for-nigeria-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2025: Super Eagles could get big boost with Algeria\u2019s midfield engine in race against time for Nigeria showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Soccer <\/p>\n

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\"Soccer<\/p>\n

Himad Abdelli 8, Isma\u00ebl Bennacer 10, Rayan A\u00eft-Nouri 15, and Ramy Bensebaini 21 at 2025 AFCON. Copyright: IMAGOxBouharaxHamza\/ABACAx<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles<\/a> could face a weakened Algerian side, as key midfielder Isma\u00ebl Bennacer is a major doubt ahead of their quarter-final clash on Saturday, January 10<\/a>, Soccernet.ng reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200bThe stage is set for two of Africa’s heavyweights \u2014 Nigeria and Algeria \u2014to lock horns in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n

Both sides have been among the standout teams in the tournament and will look to lay it all on the line at the Stade de Marrakech.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Victor Osimhen celebrate with team mates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Benin Republic at Godwill Akpabio Stadium (Photo by Nsidibe AkpanxImago)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Super Eagles won all four of their previous games in the competition, while Algeria have the joint-best defensive record.<\/p>\n

\u200bNigeria and Algeria boast some of the best talents on the continent. While the Desert Foxes have stars like Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Isma\u00ebl Bennacer, and Rayan A\u00eft-Nouri, the Super Eagles counter with the likes of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen<\/a>, Akor Adams, Calvin Bassey<\/a>, and Alex Iwobi.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Algeria players and staff celebrate historic win over DR Congo (Photo by Imago)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u200bWhile these stars are expected to feature for their countries on Saturday, Algeria has suffered a significant setback.<\/p>\n

This is as key midfielder Bennacer is struggling with a muscle injury after being forced off in the 49th minute of their Round of 16 clash against DR Congo.<\/p>\n

Get Our Sports News First \u2013\u00a0Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200bAccording to the latest update from Algerie Football Media, Bennacer has yet to recover and has not trained with his teammates, with just one session remaining before the showdown against Nigeria.<\/p>\n

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Isma\u00ebl Bennacer ne s\u2019est toujours pas entra\u00een\u00e9 avec le groupe.<\/p>\n

Il a \u00e9t\u00e9 mis au repos et continue de suivre un programme sp\u00e9cifique.<\/p>\n

\ufe0f@FAFAlgeria<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/07CBXGj8p7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Alg\u00e9rie Football M\u00e9dia (@DZFOOTBALLDZ) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bennacer has been following a specialized recovery program, but it remains unlikely that he will be fit in time for the match.<\/p>\n

Soccer \u200bWill Algeria Miss Isma\u00ebl Bennacer against Nigeria’s Super Eagles?<\/h2>\n

\u200bBennacer is one of the most important and experienced players in the Algerian squad. The 28-year-old midfielder has 56 international caps to his name and was part of the team that defeated Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2019 AFCON.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Ismael Bennacer during the Afcon 2025 match between Algeria and Sudan. (Photo by Imago)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u200bA fine dribbler with the work rate to cover the entire pitch, Bennacer makes it difficult for opponents to dominate the midfield.<\/p>\n

He has been one of the top performers in the tournament; hence, coach Vladimir Petkovi\u0107 will definitely miss his services.<\/p>\n

\u200bIn Bennacer’s absence, Twente’s Ramiz Zerrouki is expected to man the defensive midfield position, though he is not exactly an upgrade.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Coach Eric Chelle of Super Eagles during the AFCON 2025 Copyright: IMAGOxshengolpixsx<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00c9ric Chelle and his Super Eagles will be hoping to take advantage of the absence of Algeria’s midfield engine at AFCON 2025 in what promises to be an interesting and fiery contest.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"<!--Kelvin Omachonu” src=”https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG-20240522-WA0001-150×150.jpg” height=”80″ width=”80″>\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tKelvin Omachonu\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\t\tKelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
\nA graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, and Sportspremi.
\nAway from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Read More<\/a>Kelvin Omachonu<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Soccer Himad Abdelli 8, Isma\u00ebl Bennacer 10, Rayan A\u00eft-Nouri 15, and Ramy Bensebaini 21 at 2025 AFCON. Copyright: IMAGOxBouharaxHamza\/ABACAx Nigeria’s Super Eagles could face a weakened Algerian side, as key midfielder Isma\u00ebl Bennacer is a major doubt ahead of their quarter-final clash on Saturday, January 10, Soccernet.ng reports. \u200bThe stage is set for two of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":883884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[95004,2005,4578],"tags":[95003,6323],"class_list":{"0":"post-883883","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-afcon","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-super","10":"tag-afcon","11":"tag-super"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/883883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=883883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/883883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/883884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=883883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=883883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=883883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}