Nigeria and hosts Morocco will collide in a CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 semi-final on Wednesday night, with both sides carrying unbeaten records, rich history and the weight of expectation into the showdown at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT), as Nigeria chase a fourth continental crown while Morocco seek their first AFCON title since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1976.
This will be the sixth meeting between Nigeria and Morocco at AFCON and their first in 22 years at the tournament. All five previous AFCON encounters produced a winner, underlining the competitive edge that has defined this rivalry.
Their history stretches back to 1976, when Morocco won twice in the group stages en route to their only AFCON triumph. Nigeria gained revenge in the 1980 semi-final, winning 1–0 through Felix Owolabi’s early strike on their way to lifting their maiden title.
Subsequent meetings saw Nigeria eliminate Morocco in the group stages in 2000, before Morocco edged the Super Eagles 1–0 in 2004.
Overall, the two sides have met 12 times, with Morocco holding a slight advantage of six wins to Nigeria’s three, alongside two draws, both coming in AFCON qualification for the 1984 edition.
Nigeria arrive in Rabat in formidable form, having won all five of their matches at AFCON 2025. Their quarter-final victory over Algeria, a disciplined and clinical 2–0 performance, underlined their credentials as one of the tournament’s most complete sides.
The Super Eagles have scored at least two goals in every match so far, amassing 14 goals, their highest tally at a single AFCON edition and the most since Cameroon’s 2021 run. They have now scored in 12 consecutive AFCON matches and boast the best shot conversion rate at the tournament at 21 per cent.
Victor Osimhen has been central to Nigeria’s attacking dominance, scoring four goals and registering 10 goal involvements overall. Remarkably, Nigeria have never lost an AFCON match in which Osimhen has either scored or assisted.
This semi-final marks Nigeria’s record-extending 16th appearance at this stage of the competition. Victory would take them into a ninth AFCON final, drawing level with Ghana, and set up their second consecutive final appearance following the 2023 edition.
Morocco, meanwhile, has continued to feed off home support, reaching the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2004. Their narrow quarter-final victory over Cameroon showcased defensive solidity and composure, with the Atlas Lions keeping four clean sheets at the tournament so far, more than ever before in a single AFCON campaign.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been a standout figure, becoming the first Moroccan goalkeeper to register four clean sheets at AFCON. At the other end, Brahim DÃaz has been in scintillating form, scoring five goals in five matches and moving within one strike of Ahmed Faras’ national AFCON scoring record.
Morocco’s threat from dead-ball situations has been decisive, with five set-piece goals the highest tally in the tournament. Under Walid Regragui, Morocco is aiming to reach their first AFCON final in over two decades and become only the second successive host nation to do so.
Nigeria’s history against AFCON hosts adds another layer of intrigue. The Super Eagles have faced host or co-host nations ten times, recording three wins, three draws and four losses. While they defeated Côte d’Ivoire in the group stages in 2023, they later lost to the same opponents in the final.
In knockout matches against hosts, Nigeria have won only once in open play, making Tuesday’s clash both a test of character and an opportunity to rewrite history.
