Nigeria and hosts Morocco lock horns in a heavyweight semi-final clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat set to provide a charged backdrop for one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.
With continental heavyweights such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi on show, this encounter brings together two sides that have impressed in contrasting ways on their road to the last four.
Nigeria have emerged as one of the stories of the tournament, channelling the frustration of their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup into a relentless AFCON campaign. Under the guidance of Malian coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles have rediscovered their attacking swagger while maintaining the mental resilience expected of three-time African champions.
Despite arriving in Morocco with tempered expectations, Nigeria have produced fluent, confident football throughout the competition and boast a perfect record heading into the semi-finals. Their group-stage journey began with a narrow 2-1 win over Tanzania, followed by a thrilling 3-2 success against Tunisia to seal early qualification.
A rotated side then brushed aside Uganda 3-1 before Nigeria raised the tempo in the knockout rounds, hammering Mozambique 4-0 in the last 16 and dispatching favourites Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
Chelle’s men are the tournament’s top scorers, netting 14 goals in five matches, with Osimhen leading the line superbly and supported by Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Akor Adams. Defensive balance and leadership have come from Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has grown in authority as the competition has progressed.
Historically, this fixture has favoured Morocco, who have won six of the 11 meetings between the sides, compared to Nigeria’s four victories and one draw. Recent history has tilted further towards the Atlas Lions, with Nigeria managing just one win in the last six encounters and suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat in their most recent meeting at the 2018 African Nations Championship.
Tournament hosts Morocco have lived up to expectations so far, topping Group A with seven points after victories over Comoros and Zambia, along with a draw against Mali. Walid Regragui’s side have combined vocal home support with tactical discipline, defensive compactness and sharp attacking transitions.
In the knockout stages, Morocco saw off Cameroon 2-0, with Brahim Diaz once again taking centre stage. The Real Madrid attacker opened the scoring before Ismael Saibari sealed the win, as the Atlas Lions controlled proceedings through structured possession and defensive organisation.
That result preserved Morocco’s impressive defensive record, with just one goal conceded in the entire tournament and none from open play. This solidity has underpinned their run to a fifth AFCON semi-final, their best campaign since 2004, and another victory would move them a step closer to a rare final appearance on home soil.
Diaz has been a standout performer, scoring in five consecutive matches to become the first player in 15 years to net in each of his first five AFCON appearances, while Regragui’s calm tactical approach has continued to earn praise.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Nigeria will be without captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended after accumulating bookings. Raphael Onyedika is expected to step into midfield after impressing earlier in the tournament, including a two-goal display against Uganda.There are also concerns over Bright Osayi-Samuel, who was forced off late against Algeria, while Cyriel Dessers has withdrawn from the squad due to a thigh injury.
Calvin Bassey has been outstanding at the back, and Alex Iwobi continues to enjoy a fine tournament, pulling the strings behind the attacking trio of Lookman, Adams and Osimhen.
Morocco have also dealt with injuries, but the return of captain Achraf Hakimi has been a major boost. Azzedine Ounahi remains sidelined with a calf issue, while Romain Saiss is still unavailable. Otherwise, Regragui has a near fully-fit squad to choose from, with Diaz again expected to be the chief attacking threat.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Nigeria:Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Iwobi; Lookman, Adams, Osimhen
Morocco:
Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, El Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi
EXPERT PREDICTION
Nigeria 2-1 Morocco
