Algerian Duo Handed Bans After Post-match Chaos In AFCON Quarter-final Loss


Algerian internationals Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali have been suspended for their roles in the heated scenes that followed Algeria’s quarter-final loss to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Zidane banned for two matches and Belghali for four.

The sanctions were confirmed on Wednesday by the Algerian Football Federation, which also revealed that it had been fined $100,000 for security failures and misconduct involving players, officials and supporters during the match.

Zidane, a goalkeeper, and defender Belghali will serve their respective bans during Algeria’s qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The federation, however, announced its intention to appeal the decisions, insisting the penalties were excessive. Algeria had felt hard done by after being denied a penalty when the match was still goalless, before Nigeria went on to secure a 2-0 victory through second-half strikes from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.

Tempers flared immediately after the final whistle, leading to confrontations between players and members of the coaching staff from both sides. According to the Algerian FA, the fines imposed by the Confederation of African Football also covered incidents involving supporters, including attempts to encroach onto the pitch and the provocative display of banknotes towards match officials.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles sealed their place in the semi-finals with a dominant performance at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, dismantling an Algerian side that had been defensively solid throughout the tournament. The Desert Foxes, who had conceded only once before the quarter-final, were overwhelmed by Nigeria’s intensity and sharp finishing after the break.

A moment of brilliance from Alex Iwobi unlocked the Algerian backline with an audacious outside-of-the-boot pass, allowing Osimhen to square the ball unselfishly for Adams, who rounded Zidane and calmly finished into an empty net. Algeria failed to find rhythm or attacking threat, ending the contest without a single shot on target, despite tactical changes and the introduction of Baghdad Bounedjah in the second half.

Although Nigeria later fell to hosts Morocco in the semi-final, the Super Eagles bounced back by defeating Egypt in the third-place playoff. That victory secured Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.

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