What should have been a night of celebration for Nigeria ended in tension, noise, and unanswered questions.
Moments after the final whistle confirmed Nigeria’s 2–0 victory over Algeria in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in Marrakech, the mood inside the stadium shifted. Joy on one side. Anger on the other.
The Confederation of African Football has now opened an investigation into the scenes that followed the match. CAF says it is reviewing reports from match officials, stadium security, and media representatives to fully understand what happened after the game ended.
Nigeria had sealed their place in the semi-finals with second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, a performance that deserved applause. But at full time, frustration boiled over among the Algerian players, who felt hard done by several refereeing decisions.
Reports suggest some players attempted to confront referee Issa Sy and his assistants, forcing stadium security to step in before the situation escalated further. The tension was not limited to the pitch. In the stands, sections of Algerian supporters were reportedly involved in disturbances, with attempts to breach security barriers and allegations of minor vandalism within the stadium.
CAF is expected to conclude its investigation in the coming days and will announce any disciplinary action deemed necessary.
