{"id":884115,"date":"2026-01-11T07:12:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/11\/why-this-super-eagles-team-is-different-semi-ajayi-explains-after-algeria-win\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T07:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:12:09","slug":"why-this-super-eagles-team-is-different-semi-ajayi-explains-after-algeria-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/11\/why-this-super-eagles-team-is-different-semi-ajayi-explains-after-algeria-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Why this Super Eagles team is different \u2014 Semi Ajayi explains after Algeria win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Soccer <\/p>\n

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\"Soccer<\/p>\n

Semi Ajayi in action for the Super Eagles. Copyright: Imago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hull City defender Semi Ajayi has explained why this Super Eagles<\/a> side feels different after their composed 2\u20130 victory over Algeria booked a semi-final spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nigeria\u2019s 2025 AFCON<\/a> journey took another decisive step forward on Friday as the Super Eagles beat Algeria to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against hosts Morocco.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Ajayi reveals what is driving the Super Eagles of Nigeria in this tournament and how the game against the host nation will be<\/p>\n

Soccer Semi Ajayi: \u201cWe won our A game \u2014 and we\u2019ll need it again\u201d<\/h2>\n

Asked whether Nigeria could outplay Morocco the same way they outplayed Algeria, Ajayi was quick to strike a balance between confidence and respect.<\/p>\n

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\u201cListen, Algeria is a top team. It wasn\u2019t easy, but we won our A game today, and we\u2019re definitely going to need it again in the next round.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Soccer
Super Eagles of Nigeria. Copyright: Imago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nigeria\u2019s performance against Algeria was one of their most controlled displays of the tournament \u2014 dominant without being reckless, ruthless when it mattered.<\/p>\n

However, Ajayi insists the bar must be raised again against the hosts.<\/p>\n

Soccer Pain from the past fuels this Super Eagles side<\/h2>\n

When pressed on what separates this Nigerian team from the one that fell short at the last AFCON hosted in the Ivory Coast, Ajayi pointed to a shared sense of purpose, which was sparked by the disappointment.<\/p>\n

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\u201cListen, both teams are driven; we both came with one goal, and the goal is the same. We know how painful it was to not go all the way last time, and we\u2019re looking to make amends for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Soccer
Oluwasemilogo Adesewo Ajayi during the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Nigeria and Tanzania. Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi Copyright: xShengolpixsxIMAGO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still, the former West Brom defender was careful not to look too far ahead.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLike I said, we\u2019ve still got a semi-final to deal with, and we\u2019ll be really hungry and ready and focused to make sure we complete that mission.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Soccer Morocco is another hostile test \u2014 but Nigeria are ready<\/h2>\n

Facing tournament hosts Morocco brings added pressure, but Ajayi believes Nigeria\u2019s experience will be crucial.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYeah, it\u2019ll be hostile, but I think we\u2019ve got enough experience in the group to be able to deal with that. Today was pretty much an away game. I\u2019d say the stadium was about 80%.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Soccer
Morocco celebrate Dominant 2-0 victory over Cameroon. Copyright:Imago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That atmosphere against Algeria, he says, has already served as preparation.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLearning how to deal with that and navigate that will stand us in good stead for the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Soccer \u2018No performance is perfect\u2019 \u2014 Super Eagles eye improvements<\/h2>\n

Despite the convincing win over Algeria, Ajayi made it clear that Nigeria are far from satisfied.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBecause we can, we can always improve. No performance is perfect. There are some details that we can iron out and fix.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He added<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ll be looking to do that on the training field before the next game. Maybe scoring more goals \u2014 I\u2019ll keep that in-house \u2014 but we can definitely improve.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Watch Semi Ajayi’s post-match reaction here:<\/h3>\n
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Nigeria are preparing for another explosive showdown with a host nation, as they look to secure a place in the final and put right the wrongs of the last AFCON.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"<!--Ayomide Oguntimehin” src=”https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ayomide-Oguntimehin-pics-150×150.jpg” height=”80″ width=”80″>\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tAyomide Oguntimehin\t\t\t\t<\/a>
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\n\t\t\t\tAyomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.<\/p>\n

Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master\u2019s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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

Soccer Semi Ajayi in action for the Super Eagles. Copyright: Imago Hull City defender Semi Ajayi has explained why this Super Eagles side feels different after their composed 2\u20130 victory over Algeria booked a semi-final spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.\u00a0 Nigeria\u2019s 2025 AFCON journey took another decisive step forward on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":884116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3577,2005,4578],"tags":[7956,6323],"class_list":{"0":"post-884115","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eagles","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-super","10":"tag-eagles","11":"tag-super"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884115","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=884115"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884115\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/884116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=884115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=884115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=884115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}