Nigeria go clash host Morocco for AFCON 2025 semi-final for Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat on Wednesday. This na one of the two big semi-finals, full of Africa best players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi.
Match Preview
Nigeria don dey one of di standout teams for tournament, shock everybody after dem fail qualify for 2026 World Cup because dem lose playoff to DR Congo last November. Under coach Eric Chelle, Super Eagles dey carry the weight wey dey come with being three-time African champions, but na belief still dey inside Nigerian fans say their team fit beat any team.
Nigeria start group stage with low expectations but show fluent attacking football, win all their games before semi-final. Dem beat Tanzania 2-1, then Tunisia 3-2, rotate squad to beat Uganda 3-1, dispatch Mozambique 4-0 for Round of 16, then beat Algeria 2-0 for quarter-final.
Dem dey top scorers table with 14 goals from five matches, concede four, keep two clean sheets. Attackers na Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, Adams, midfield balance come from Ndidi, Onyeka, Bassey, Semi Ajayi and goalkeeper Nwabali.
Nigeria don meet Morocco 11 times since 1969, Morocco get edge with six wins, Nigeria four, one draw. But recent times Morocco don dominate last six games, Nigeria only win one (2-0 for 2000 AFCON), last meeting 4-0 defeat for 2018 CHAN.
Morocco top Group A with seven points, beat Comoros 2-0, Zambia 3-0, draw Mali 1-1. For knockout, dem beat Cameroon 2-0 with Brahim Diaz scoring and Ismael Saibari adding second.
Morocco strong for defence, concede only one goal, none from open play. Diaz dey hot, score five matches in row, first player in 15 years to score first five AFCON games.
Team News
Nigeria dey suffer small blow as captain Ndidi dey suspended for one match, Raphael Onyedika go cover am. Bright Osayi-Samuel dey doubt after injury against Algeria, Cyriel Dessers no go play because thigh injury. Bassey and Iwobi dey important for backline and midfield, while Lookman, Adams and Osimhen dey ready for attack.
Morocco dey almost full strength. Captain Hakimi don return, Azzedine Ounahi dey out with calf injury, Romain Saiss still injured. Diaz dey key threat again for semi-final.
Possible Lineups
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
We Say: Nigeria 3-1 Morocco
Nigeria dey play every game with authority, show depth, quality and determination after 2026 World Cup disappointment. Morocco go tough because dem dey home, but Super Eagles attack dey relentless. Expect Nigeria to perform well again and fit shock Morocco to reach second consecutive AFCON final. Score prediction: Nigeria 3-1 Morocco.
