Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez stressed that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be his last after being eliminated by Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
The Desert Foxes were booted out of the continental showpiece on Saturday after succumbing to a 2-0 quarterfinals defeat to Nigeria in a highly competitive clash.
Goals from Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams were enough for the Super Eagles to qualify at the expense of their North African counterparts.
The West African giants has now set up a tie against host nation, Morocco in the semifinals, scheduled for Wednesday.
Speaking after the game, the former Manchester City star confirmed he will not participate in the continental showpiece again after being eliminated from the 35th edition in Morocco.
“This is my last participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s over. It’s sad that my career ends in the quarter-finals. I wished I could have gone further and won a second title.”
“Winning the Africa Cup of Nations is not easy. Our generation won one before, and that was a great achievement.”
“But for many of this new generation, this is their first time participating in the tournament, and they have to go through these moments.”
Meanwhile, Mahrez is expected to lead the Algeria team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup tournament to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
