Nigeria’s lethal strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are poised to test the flawless defensive record of Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarter-final clash on Saturday in Marrakesh.
Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, is the only first-choice goalkeeper among the eight quarter-finalists to have kept a clean sheet in all of his tournament matches so far. The 27-year-old has played four games for Algeria (group stage and round of 16), conceding zero goals and earning praise for his composure and shot-stopping.
His impeccable run includes clean sheets against Sudan, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea (rested for one group game), and a dramatic extra-time win over DR Congo in the last 16.
Nigeria, the tournament’s highest scorers with 12 goals in four matches, will aim to breach Zidane’s fortress. Osimhen and Lookman have each netted three goals, forming a potent attack alongside contributors like Akor Adams.
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali registered his first clean sheet of the tournament in the 4-0 round-of-16 win over Mozambique but has conceded in prior games.
The highly anticipated Nigeria vs Algeria quarter-final kicks off on Saturday at the Stade de Marrakesh.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
Send tips to: adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com | 08168555497