Riyad Mahrez concedes Algeria defeat to Nigeria

Algeria national team winger Riyad Mahrez conceded defeat to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday.

Striker Victor Osimhen scored his fourth goal of the competition and assisted as Nigeria edged Algeria 2-0, and will now face Morocco in the last four clash in Rabat.

“We were a little late in our positioning, and perhaps we lacked balance. We faced a very strong team, and we didn’t manage to keep possession of the ball in the first half in a way that would allow us to threaten them.”

He continued: “Ultimately, this is the truth; they were better than us, and that’s part of football. We must now continue to work and move forward.”

The captain of the ‘Greens’ added: “We did everything we could to qualify, but we came up against a stronger team, and this happens in football.”

Regarding the refereeing, Mahrez explained: “Everyone saw what happened. Of course, we didn’t lose because of this (the refereeing), but the referee was quick to show us yellow cards, while he didn’t do the same with them (Nigeria). High-level football is decided by small details, but this is football.”