Nigeria forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are set to put the perfect record of Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane under serious pressure when both sides clash in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Morocco.
Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, is the only first-choice goalkeeper among the remaining quarter-finalists yet to concede a goal in the tournament. However, his clean-sheet streak faces a major test against Nigeria’s in-form attackers.
Osimhen and Lookman, both former African Player of the Year winners, have been outstanding so far, scoring three goals each as the Super Eagles emerged as the competition’s top scorers with 12 goals.
The 27-year-old Zidane kept clean sheets against Sudan and Burkina Faso in the group stage before being rested against Equatorial Guinea. He returned for the round-of-16 match against DR Congo, helping Algeria secure victory after extra time.
Zidane, who plays for Granada in Spain’s second division, has enjoyed strong family support in the stands throughout the tournament. Born in France, he was eligible to represent France, Spain or Algeria, but chose the North African nation and made his debut last November.
“I am proud to represent Algeria at the AFCON. It is a great experience,” Zidane said, adding that he is focused on building his own career despite his famous surname.
Nigeria and Algeria meet in Marrakesh on Saturday, with both sides among the favourites in a quarter-final line-up that features seven former AFCON champions.