THE football stage is all set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, semi-final tie between host nation Morocco and Nigeria on Wednesday night.
The AFCON semi-final tie will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, at 9pm Nigerian time.
Wednesday’s semi-final tie will be the sixth time both teams have faced each other at the AFCON.
Morocco leads the head-to-head with three wins to Nigeria’s two, and the last time both sides met at the AFCON was 22 years ago, in the group stage of the 2004 edition, where the Atlas Lions defeated the Super Eagles 1-0, thanks to Mustapha Hadji’s goal.
However, Nigeria and Morocco are the two most in-form teams at the ongoing AFCON so far.
The Super Eagles enter the match as the team to beat, having won all their last five games against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria, respectively.
They have scored 14 goals, the highest for any team in the tournament so far, thanks to the contribution of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Raphael Onyedika and Semi Ajayi.
The Super Eagles, who boast the best attack team, will be aiming for their ninth AFCON final overall, and only their second consecutive appearance in the final in Nigeria’s history.
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle will be without his captain, Wilfred Ndidi through suspension, after the former Leicester City midfielder picked up a second yellow card in the quarter-final win against Algeria.
On their part, Morocco arrive in the semi-finals having won four of their last five matches.
The Atlas Lions have relied heavily on Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz for goals.
Diaz has scored in five consecutive matches, with his five goals accounting for more than half of the team’s tournament total of nine.
Morocco boasts the tournament’s best defensive record so far, as they have conceded just one goal.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui will be without Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi against Nigeria due to a persistent calf injury.
Media reports that the Super Eagles will aim to redeem themselves, having finished runner-up in the last edition of the AFCON in Ivory Coast and later failing to secure the 2026 World Cup ticket following their defeat to DR Congo in the qualifying playoff final.
Morocco, on the other hand, hopes to count on the home supporters against Nigeria and to advance to the final for the third time in their history.
Speaking with Media ahead of the today clash, respected Lagos-based journalist, Femi Fabunmi, offered his opinion on the match between Nigeria and Morocco.
He insisted that the Chelle’s side will defeat Morocco and qualify for the AFCON final because of their impressive performances so far, and they have squad depth.
“The Super Eagles are by far the best team in this AFCON. They have squad depth and a perfect replacement for every player in all departments on the field,” Fabunmi said.
“Their performances so far have shown that as well. With the way they have been playing, they will definitely defeat Morocco and qualify for the final,” he said.
MESSAGE us @ https://Wa.me/+2348072633727 for business relationship, Advert, PR, Publicity, Awareness, Interviews, Feature Stories, Press Release/Statement and so on…
When asked for his prediction, Fabunmi added, “3-1 in favour of Nigeria.”
Australia’s central bank has raised its forecasts for economic growth and inflation, signaling that interest…
The United States, through its Department of Homeland Security, DHS, has announced plans to deport…
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said that…
US President Donald Trump urged Republicans on Monday to “take over” voting, in another escalation…
CALABAR—Pandemonium broke out on Sunday in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State,…
The Federal Government has directed that state governments will now share the cost of electricity…