Algeria 0-2 Nigeria: Eric Chelle's Super Eagles become sixth team to win first five games in AFCON history

This isn't just winning, it's dominance stamped into the record books. Nigeria's Super Eagles roared into the semi-finals of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations with a clinical 2-0 dismantling of Algeria on Saturday, becoming only the sixth nation ever to win their opening five matches in a single tournament.

Under Eric Chelle, what many tipped as a rebuilding year has exploded into a championship charge, blending rock-solid defence with lethal finishing to bury the Desert Foxes at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

Algeria arrived as two-time champions, but Nigeria's relentless press and fluid attacks turned them into dazed spectators from start to finish in the keenly anticipated clash.

Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams led the charge, with the Super Eagles outshooting the Fennecs 13-3 and holding them to zero shots on target. This flawless run, now five wins from five, joins an elite club of African football legends:

• 1990: Algeria (the very team Nigeria just humbled)

• 2002: Cameroon (Indomitable Lions' golden era)

• 2010: Egypt (Pharaohs' record seven-title reign)

• 2012: Côte d’Ivoire (Elephants' powerhouse surge)

• 2025: Nigeria (Super Eagles soaring under Chelle)

Nigeria dominated from kickoff, Osimhen terrorising the right flank in the 7th minute with a smart cut-back cleared by Aissa Mandi; his corner header flew just over.

Ademola Lookman shredded the defense in the 22nd on a sublime Alex Iwobi pass, but Luka Zidane smothered it.

Three minutes later, Osimhen loomed on a counter, Zidane raced out to deny him. Akor Adams nearly struck in the 37th, firing over after a lightning break with Zidane stranded.

Algeria clung to a goalless halftime, but Nigeria's 7-0 shot edge screamed inevitability.

The floodgates opened at 47': Frank Onyeka intercepted, fed Adams via Iwobi, and Bruno Onyemaechi's pinpoint cross met Osimhen's aerial mastery for a towering header (1-0).

Seven minutes later, Onyemaechi's delivery forced another Zidane save from Osimhen. In the 57th, perfection: Onyeka won it high, Iwobi to Osimhen, who unselfishly teed Adams, the Sevilla poacher rounded Zidane and slotted home (2-0), his second AFCON goal.

Adams hunted a brace in the 80th, his diving header from Osimhen's cross rattling the post. Algeria, suffocated by Nigeria's high line and midfield steel (Onyeka's 4 tackles, 4 recoveries 83% pass accuracy), offered nothing.

Clean sheet intact, the Eagles march to Wednesday's semi-final against hosts Morocco in Rabat, momentum that has carried every prior five-win team deep into glory.

Even Algerian fans admitted the roast: “We’ve been cooked, roasted, air fried,” one tweeted, as Nigeria turned rivals into memes.

For Chelle's men, this historic streak signals silverware - watch out, Africa.