Mandi: Nigeria Didn’t Need Ref Bias—Eagles Soar to AFCON Semis
11 January 2026
Match Summary and Reactions
Nigeria's defense and midfield dominated a tense quarterfinal, sealing a 2-0 victory over Algeria in AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Aïssa Mandi, the Algerian defender, commented on the refereeing controversy surrounding the Desert Foxes vs. the Eagles, saying the result was earned despite the calls.
"Nigeria does not need this refereeing bias," he said, noting that the Nigerians are a great side with talented players, and that such decisions were somewhat unfortunate.
The Lille defender's remarks reflect Algeria's frustration with the officiating, as the Greens felt they should have had more than one penalty.
Captain Riyad Mahrez and head coach Vladimir Petković, for their part, conceded Nigeria's superiority and rightful qualification, even as they criticized some decisions.
With the triumph, Nigeria advance to face host Morocco in the semifinals, while Egypt will meet Senegal in the other semi.
Semifinal Path and What’s Next
The Nigerians now look to extend their run as Morocco hosts the tournament, with Egypt vs Senegal shaping the other last-four matchup and a shot at continental glory.
Punchline 1: If referees were coffee, this match would be a double espresso—strong, bitter, and likely to keep you awake till the final whistle.
Punchline 2: Algeria might consider switch to flip-flops; at least then they can blame the calls on the wind and still look stylish.
