I have played my last game — Nigeria defeat forces Mahrez to bow out of AFCON

Following Algeria's quarter-final exit to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Marrakech, Riyad Mahrez used the moment to announce that his time competing in Africa’s biggest tournament has come to an end.

The former Manchester City winger has been the face of Algerian football for over a decade, but the clinical efficiency of Nigeria’s attack proved to be the final hurdle for his AFCON dreams.

Speaking after the match, the 34-year-old was clear about his future plans.

“It’s my final African Cup, that’s for sure,” Mahrez revealed.

“I won’t be playing another African Cup after six African Cups, more than 20 games.”

While the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, Mahrez took the opportunity to reflect on his greatest achievement in the green shirt: captaining the side to the 2019 title.

“I’m happy I brought one big star for my country,” he added, referring to the second championship star earned during that historic run in Egypt in 2019.

Mahrez leaves the AFCON stage as one of its most consistent performers, having defined an era for the Desert Foxes.

Meanwhile, Nigeria advance to face hosts Morocco in a blockbuster semi-final showdown. Unfortunately for Eric Chelle's men, they must do so without the services of captain and midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi.

Nigeria’s commanding performance against Algeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal was slightly overshadowed on Saturday after midfielder Wilfred Ndidi received a yellow card that rules him out of the semifinal clash against Morocco.