Algeria exited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night after a 2–0 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria in Marrakech, and captain Riyad Mahrez moved quickly to shut down any controversy surrounding the referee’s decisions.
Speaking in the mixed zone moments after the final whistle, the Algerian leader delivered a calm and reflective assessment of the match, refusing to blame officiating for the elimination and instead acknowledging Nigeria’s superiority on the night.
Nigeria controlled large phases of the contest and converted their dominance into two goals, securing a deserved place in the semi-finals.
Although debate followed a potential penalty incident that went against Algeria, Mahrez dismissed the idea that refereeing influenced the outcome.
“We faced a strong Nigeria side,” Mahrez said. “We could have done better, of course.
We can always talk about systems or replay the match in our minds, but in the end they played better than us. That’s football.”
When asked directly about the referee’s performance, Mahrez remained measured and clear.
He accepted that imperfections exist in every match but rejected any excuse-making.
“The referee wasn’t perfect, but that’s not why we lost,” he stated. “We always talk about referees in football, but this result comes down to the game itself.”
The Algeria captain also used the moment to deliver a significant personal announcement.
Mahrez confirmed that the tournament in Morocco marked the final Africa Cup of Nations appearance of his international career, closing a long chapter with the national team.
“Yes, this was my last African tournament,” he said. “After six AFCON tournaments and more than 20 matches, I feel proud of what I gave to my country.”
Mahrez reflected on the difficulty of winning the competition, even with talented squads, and urged perspective in assessing Algeria’s journey.
He stressed that strong generations do not always guarantee trophies, highlighting the fine margins that define international football.
“That’s football,” he added. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You can have a great generation and still not win. It’s extremely difficult.”
Despite the disappointment, Mahrez expressed optimism for Algeria’s future.
pointed to the quality within the squad and encouraged belief in the next cycle, even as his own AFCON journey reaches its conclusion.
Nigeria now advance with confidence after a composed performance, while Algeria depart Morocco with regrets but also with the closing words of a captain who chose honesty over controversy.
