No excuses, no complaints: Mahrez accepts defeat and closes his AFCON chapter

AFCON 11 January 2026 at 15:49

Khaled Hegazy

News Editor

10.01.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria

0

:

Nigeria

2

Riyad Mahrez dismissed claims that refereeing cost Algeria their AFCON 2025 quarter final accepting Nigeria’s superiority in 2 - 0 defeat that ended both the Fennecs campaign and his own Africa Cup of Nations journey.

Algeria knocked out in Marrakech on Saturday as Nigeria booked semi final date with hosts Morocco.

In the aftermath frustration rippled through the Algerian camp with players and staff criticising referee Issa Sy over non awarded penalty for a handball by Semi Ajayi and the flurry of yellow cards shown to the Desert Warriors.

Mahrez, however took different tone:

“We faced a strong team. We could have done better, of course,” the captain said. “You can always talk about tactics and replay match in your head but in the end they played better than us.. That’s football.”

Pressed on the officiating, Mahrez acknowledged imperfections but refused to use them as excuse.

“The referee was not perfect but that is not why we lost. In football, we always talk about referees but the result comes down to the match itself,” he added.

Beyond the defeat, the night carried deeper meaning. The 34 year old confirmed that this tournament was his final Africa Cup of Nations.

“I confirm, it’s my last competition. It’s over,” Mahrez said. “It’s sad that it ends in the quarter finals. I would have liked to go further and try to win a second one.”

Winner of AFCON 2019, Mahrez sought to reassure Algeria’s next generation.

“The Africa Cup is not easy to win. Our generation has already lifted it and it was incredible but for many of this new group, it is their first AFCON. They have to go through these moments.”

Related teams and leagues

Algeria

Nigeria

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations