Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa expressed satisfaction with the team’s dominant display, after they advanced to the next round at the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco with a 2-0 win over Algeriaon Saturday.
The Super Eagles enjoyed an utterly dominant performance at the Stade de Marrakech and could have won the match with a larger margin of victory.
They restricted the Desert Warriors to just three attempts in the clash and none on goal in one of their best outings in recent years.
“Algeria is a top team, but we were on our A-game today and we definitely need to be again in the next round”, Ajayi exclusively told Footy-Africa.
Despite dominating the first half, Nigeria were unable to get past Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane and when they eventually did, Ramy Bansebaini was on hand to make a vital clearance on the goal-line.
However, Victor Osimhen put them ahead two minutes after the break with a brilliant header, before Akor Adams doubled the advantage only 10 minutes later after good work by Alex Iwobi and Osimhen in the buildup.
The Super Eagles will meet host nation Morocco in the semifinal, with Ajayi expecting another hostile reception from the home supporters.
“It will be hostile, but I think we’ve got enough experience in the group to deal with that. It was pretty much an away game with the stadium about 80% Algeria and we learnt how to do it and we’re ready for the next game”, the Hull City defender added.
Nigeria reached the final in the last edition held in Ivory Coast, but were unlucky in the final as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the host nation.
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Ajayi, however believes the team is more motivated this time around to win a long-awaited fourth African title.
“The ambition is there, the goal is the same, we know how painful it was to not go all the way the last time and we’re looking to make amends for that. Like I said, we still got a semifinal to do it and we are really hungry, ready and focused to make sure we fulfill the ambition.
We can always improve. No performance is perfect and whatever we need to fix we can do that on the training field before the next game”, the 32-year-old concluded.
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat will host the semifinal tie between Nigeria and the host nation next Wednesday, with the winner advancing to face the either Senegal or Egypt in the final on the 18th of January.
