Morocco Vs Nigeria AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Preview: Special Package On ‘All You Need To Know’
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Morocco are set for a heavyweight showdown when they meet in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at 9 p.m. tonight, January 14, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
This is another chance for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to cement their standing among Africa’s elite.
A win would send the West African country into a ninth AFCON final and secure consecutive final appearances for the first time since 1988 and 1990. It would also draw them level with Ghana on nine final outings.
Nigeria have previously reached the final in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2013 and 2023. Success in Rabat would also mark their fourth appearance in an AFCON final on North African soil.
Since their last title in 2013, only Egypt, Senegal and Ivory Coast have reached multiple finals alongside Nigeria, highlighting the scale of the opportunity before Éric Chelle’s side.
Morocco, meanwhile, are chasing a return to the AFCON final for the first time in more than two decades and hunting their first continental title since 1976. As hosts, the Atlas Lions are bidding to extend a strong home run and turn national expectation into a historic breakthrough.
Road to the Semi-Finals for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Morocco
Nigeria arrive as the only team with a perfect record at the tournament, having won all five of their matches so far. They have scored at least two goals in every game, netting 14 times, their highest tally at a single AFCON edition.
Morocco are also unbeaten, recording four wins and a draw. Their campaign has been built on discipline and defensive solidity, highlighted by a controlled 2-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon in Rabat.
Morocco vs Nigeria: Head-to-Head Record
This will be the sixth AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Morocco, with all five previous encounters at the finals producing a winner.
Overall Meetings
Played: 11
Nigeria wins: 3
Morocco wins: 6
Draws: 2
The two draws came during qualification for the 1984 AFCON and ended goalless over two legs, with Nigeria progressing on penalties.
AFCON Meetings
Played: 5
Nigeria wins: 2
Morocco wins: 3
Their first AFCON clash occurred in 1976, when Morocco won both group matches en route to lifting their only continental title. Nigeria gained revenge in the 1980 semi-final, winning 1-0 through a ninth-minute strike from Felix Owolabi before going on to lift the trophy.
They met again in 2000, when goals from Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa handed Nigeria a 2-0 group-stage win, while their most recent AFCON meeting in 2004 ended in a 1-0 victory for Morocco courtesy of a late Youssef Hadji goal.
Seven of the 11 goals scored across their AFCON meetings have arrived in the second half.
Nigeria vs Host Nations
Nigeria have faced host or co-host nations ten times at AFCON, recording three wins, three draws and four defeats. This is the second consecutive tournament in which they have met the hosts, following encounters with the Ivory Coast in the group stage and final of the 2023 edition.
In knockout matches specifically against host nations, Nigeria have won only once in five attempts.
Key Players to Watch ahead of Morocco vs Nigeria clash
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Brahim Díaz of Morocco.
Victor Osimhen has been central to Nigeria’s run, scoring four goals at the tournament and becoming the most prolific Nigerian at a single AFCON since Odion Ighalo in 2019. Nigeria have never lost an AFCON match in which Osimhen has scored or assisted.
For Morocco, Brahim Díaz has led the attacking charge with five goals, moving within one of Ahmed Faras’ national AFCON record. At the other end, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has kept four clean sheets, the most Morocco have ever recorded at a single edition.
Where to Watch the Nigeria vs Morocco AFCON match
Nigeria: Live coverage on SuperSport channels via DStv, as well as SuperSport’s streaming platforms on mobile and other devices.
South Africa: Available on SABC channels.
Credit: Naija News
