Bombshell Before AFCON 2025 Quarterfinal: Mahrez Hints at Farewell as Algeria Face Nigeria

Match-night bombshell

Just hours before the highly anticipated Algeria-Nigeria AFCON 2025 quarterfinal in Morocco, Riyad Mahrez, captain of the Desert Foxes, delivered a seismic bomb.

In the pre-match press conference, he said that this AFCON edition will be his last.

Algeria will face a historically tough opponent at Marrakesh’s stadium, and the 34-year-old sees it as a golden chance to add a second continental star before leaving Africa.

He added that this edition marks the end of his AFCON journey. He strongly dreams of lifting the trophy again with this promising group, and that motivates him.

Mahrez was the star of AFCON 2019 in Egypt, when his dramatic stoppage-time free-kick against Senegal in the final propelled Algeria to their second title.

The veteran winger said the 2019 title relied more on experience, while now the team is in a transitional phase with many young players; still, the ambition remains.

With that statement, Mahrez heads into the Nigeria clash aiming to bow out of the AFCON in style by lifting the trophy.

Humor time: If Algeria wins, Mahrez might finally retire from jokes as well as football.

Punchline: The trophy will need sunscreen in Morocco and maybe a map to find the net.