The electric atmosphere at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday, January 14, will reach fever pitch as hosts Morocco clash with Nigeria in the second semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Atlas Lions, chasing their first continental crown since 1976, face a rampant Super Eagles side aiming for a fourth title and back-to-back finals appearances. This blockbuster encounter pits Africa’s top-ranked nation against one of the tournament’s most clinical attacking forces, with a place in Sunday’s final against the winner of Senegal vs Egypt on the line.
Morocco, under Walid Regragui, has harnessed home advantage and their World Cup pedigree to reach the last four for the first time since 2004. Unbeaten in the competition (W4, D1), they topped Group A with a 2-0 win over Comoros, a 1-1 draw against Mali, and a 3-0 thrashing of Zambia. In the knockouts, they advanced past tougher tests, culminating in a composed 2-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon in Rabat. Brahim Díaz opened the scoring from a set-piece before Ismaël Saibari sealed it, highlighting Morocco’s defensive solidity—conceding minimally—and attacking flair from set plays and wing threats like Abde Ezzalzouli. Díaz has been sensational, scoring in five straight matches and nearing a historic record. With Achraf Hakimi back and providing overlaps, plus Ayoub El Kaabi’s threat, the hosts blend experience, youth, and crowd energy. Their unbeaten run stretches far beyond AFCON, signaling a team primed for glory on home soil.
Nigeria, coached by Eric Chelle, has been the tournament’s standout, with a perfect record of five wins from five. They navigated their group with authority—edging Tanzania 2-1, overcoming Tunisia 3-2, and dispatching others—before dominating knockouts. A clinical 2-0 quarter-final win over Algeria in Marrakech saw Victor Osimhen head home early in the second half and Akor Adams round the keeper for the second, showcasing their lethal counter-attacks and depth. Osimhen (four goals) and Ademola Lookman form a deadly partnership, contributing two-thirds of Nigeria’s tallies, while the midfield remains robust despite Wilfred Ndidi’s suspension, ruling him out. The Super Eagles’ attacking output—14 goals so far—contrasts with Morocco’s more measured approach, but Nigeria’s resilience after missing 2026 World Cup qualification adds motivation. This marks their record-extending 16th semi-final.
Head-to-head favors Morocco slightly overall (6 wins to Nigeria’s 3 in 11 meetings, 2 draws). Still, AFCON clashes are split: Morocco won both 1976 group games en route to their lone title, while Nigeria triumphed 1-0 in their only prior semi-final in 1980. All five previous AFCON meetings produced winners, with recent edges to Morocco. Key duels include Hakimi vs Lookman on the flanks, Osimhen testing Morocco’s backline led by Nayef Aguerd, and midfield battles where Nigeria’s physicality could disrupt Morocco’s rhythm.
Based on 2025 AFCON performances, Morocco holds a slight edge as the favorites. Home support, defensive organization, Díaz’s form, and consistency in big moments tilt the scales against Nigeria’s attacking prowess while also exposing its vulnerability to set pieces and away pressure. Expect intensity, but the Atlas Lions should prevail in a tense 2-1 victory, securing a historic home final and ending their long wait for AFCON glory.
