Algeria midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki has played down suggestions that the Desert Foxes will focus solely on Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman when they face Nigeria, insisting the Super Eagles possess quality across the pitch.

Osimhen and Lookman have been Nigeria’s standout attackers at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with both players scoring three goals apiece.

Beyond their goals, the duo have also contributed creatively, as Lookman has registered four assists while Osimhen has added one.

However, Zerrouki stressed that Nigeria’s threat extends far beyond their two star forwards. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has already scored twice at the tournament, while Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi have also chipped in with crucial goals.

“It’s not only the two of them,” Zerrouki told journalists ahead of Algeria’s training session on Friday. “All the Nigerian players have their quality. They are a very good team and we are going to prepare ourselves to face them. Like I said, it’s going to be a big game.”

Both Nigeria and Algeria head into the highly anticipated clash with perfect records, having won all their matches so far, raising questions about pressure on the two sides. Zerrouki acknowledged the stakes but remained composed.

“Pressure is always part of a tournament when teams who have performed well meet and one has to go out,” he said. “For us, we are going to do everything and see how it goes.”

Algeria booked their place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time victory over DR Congo, while the Super Eagles cruised into the last eight after a commanding 4-0 win against Mozambique.