The second semi-final of this pulsating 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament takes place later this evening as Nigeria face host nation Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Both teams are coming into this blockbuster contest unbeaten, but only Nigeria can boast a flawless record after winning all five games so far.
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A 1-1 draw against Mali in the group stage is the only blemish on Morocco’s record, but it counts for little at this stage, particularly with a place in the final up for grabs.
The 1976 AFCON winners will fancy their chances of stopping Nigeria in their tracks, but the Super Eagles are determined to redeem themselves after falling short in the previous final.
Nigeria has been a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.
Still reeling from failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and losing to Cote d’Ivoire in the 2023 AFCON final, Nigeria are desperate to right their wrongs.
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The Super Eagles have become a team reborn under Eric Chelle’s leadership.
The World Cup disappointment saw the three-time African champions arrive at AFCON with modest expectations, but they’ve been unstoppable.
Nigeria swatted aside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda to qualify for the knockout rounds as Group C winners before adding Mozambique and Algeria to their list of casualties in the previous two rounds.
The Super Eagles now have their eyes firmly set on reaching consecutive AFCON finals for the first time in nearly four decades, but Morocco will be a different proposition.
Nigeria have won four of their last 11 meetings with Morocco across major competitions since 1969 (D1, L6), although they’ve only managed one win from the previous six.
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They suffered a thumping 4-0 defeat the last time they faced Morocco, so this semi-final clash is an ideal platform for vengeance, even though it’s been eight years.
Morocco have also been impressive at this tournament so far, claiming comfortable wins over Comoros and Zambia on either side of a draw with Mali.
They made light work of Tanzania and Cameroon coming into this fixture and boast one of the best defences at the tournament.
So far, Mali are the only team to have breached Morocco’s outstanding rearguard, but they’ll need more than that to stop Nigeria.
This will be Morocco’s fifth AFCON semi-final appearance, and it’s also their best run since 2004. If they get past Nigeria, they’ll reach the final for the first time in over two decades.
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Nigeria will be without Wilfred Ndidi, who will be serving a one-match ban after accumulating bookings.
The absence of their captain will undeniably be a massive blow for the Super Eagles. But they have a capable replacement in Raphael Onyedika, who bagged a brace in the 3-1 win against Uganda.
Bright Osayi-Samuel will also be assessed before the game after being forced off late against Algeria.
Morocco have had their fair share of injury issues during the tournament.
The Atlas Lions will be without Azzedine Ounahi and Romain Saiss against Nigeria, but Achraf Hakimi’s return will undoubtedly lift the mood in the dressing room.
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(4-3-1-2): Stanley Nwabali; Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman; Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.
(4-3-3): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui; Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari; Brahim Diaz, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi.
Nigeria have been the most consistent team in the tournament so far. Their run to this stage has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Critics argued that they’ve hardly faced any opponent on their level, but their comprehensive victory over Algeria nipped those murmurs in the bud.
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While Morocco are determined to end their continental trophy drought, which has now lasted five decades, the Super Eagles are the team to beat for good reason.
We expect a fiercely contested, end-to-end showdown between two of Africa’s biggest nations.
However, Nigeria are moving like a team determined to make up for falling at the final hurdle in the previous edition, so Morocco may be powerless to stop them from reaching consecutive finals.
Nigeria 2-1 Morocco
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