Photo By Rigobert Feutzing
Nigeria will meet the host nation Morocco today in a heavyweight Africa Cup of
Nations (AFCON) Semi Final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat
(Capital City of the Kingdom of Morocco), a clash that pits the tournament’s most
prolific attack against its tightest defence.
It is a last-four showdown rich in star power and subplots, with recent CAF Player
of the Year winners Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, Ademola
Lookman and Achraf Hakimi all represented among the remaining contenders,
underscoring the quality still in contention for the continental crown.
Nigeria have emerged as one of the defining stories of AFCON 2025.
Arriving with tempered expectations after the sting of missing out of the 2026
FIFA World Cup following a play-off defeat to DR Congo in November, the
Super Eagles have responded with purpose, flair and authority, and a bit of luck at
times, but that doesn’t count, what counts is winning when it matters most.
Under Malian Coach Eric Chelle, they have rediscovered momentum and belief,
rekindling faith among Nigeria’s passionate Football Fans that the “giant of
Africa” remains capable of rising to any stage.
Their route to the Semi Final has been emphatic. Nigeria opened with a
cagey 2-1 win over Tanzania, edged Tunisia 3-2 in a pulsating group clash to
seal early qualification, and then rotated the squad heavily to beat Uganda 3-1.
The knockout rounds brought even stronger statements: a ruthless 4-0 demolition
of Mozambique in the round of 16, followed by a composed 2-0 quarterfinal
victory over tournament favourites Algeria.
Chelle’s side lead the scoring charts with 14 goals from five matches, conceding
just four and keeping two clean sheets.
Osimhen and Lookman have spearheaded a fluid frontline, with Alex Iwobi
pulling the strings behind them and Akor Adams offering depth and energy.
Balance and authority have come from Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Calvin
Bassey, Semi Ajayi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, whose calm presence has
anchored Nigeria’s back line.
History, however, offers little comfort.
Nigeria and Morocco have met 11 times since 1969, with the Atlas Lions holding
the edge at six wins to four, alongside one draw.
While Nigeria enjoyed memorable AFCON successes in 1980 and 2000, recent
meetings have tilted firmly Morocco’s way.
The Super Eagles have managed just one win in the last six encounters and their
most recent clash ended in a bruising 4-0 defeat at the 2018 African Nations
Championship.
Morocco, buoyed by home support and tactical clarity, have grown steadily into
the tournament.
Walid Regragui’s side topped Group A with seven points after victories over
Comoros and Zambia and a draw with Mali, blending disciplined organisation
with sharp transitions.
In the quarterfinals, the hosts brushed aside Cameroon 2-0, controlling the contest
through structured possession, set-piece threat and compact defensive lines.
Brahim Diaz has been central to that run. The Real Madrid forward has scored in
five successive matches, becoming the first player in 15 years to net in each of his
first five AFCON appearances.
His opener against Cameroon set the tone, before Ismael Saibari sealed the win,
preserving Morocco’s remarkable defensive record: just one goal conceded in the
tournament, none from open play.
This marks Morocco’s fifth AFCON Semi Final and their strongest campaign since
2004.
Having reached the final only once, as hosts in 1988, another victory would carry
them into their third senior CAF final within a year, reinforcing Regragui’s growing
reputation for building sides that marry pragmatism with precision.
The Semi Final arrives with selection concerns on both sides. Nigeria will be
without captain Ndidi, suspended after accumulating bookings, with Raphael
Onyedika expected to step in after impressing in the group stage.
Bright Osayi-Samuel remains a doubt after being forced off late against Algeria,
while Cyriel Dessers has withdrawn with a thigh injury.
Morocco have also navigated injury issues, but the return of Hakimi has lifted the
squad.
Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi remains sidelined with a calf problem and Romain
Saiss is still unavailable, yet Regragui approaches the tie close to full strength and
without fresh suspension worries.
Egypt will face Senegal for a place in the AFCON final, having earned a nervy 3-
2 win over the Ivory Coast in the Quarter Finals, as the holders attempted a late
fightback.
The Pharaohs were also forced to extra time in their round of 16 meeting with
Benin, though they scored twice in the added 30 minutes to win 3-1.
Hassan highlighted the high quality of the teams competing at this year’s
tournament, while maintaining his confidence in Egypt’s ability to keep pushing
for the final.
“The standard of African football has increased markedly with the quality of
players in each team being very impressive,” he said.
“There have been so many teams here with world-class players, not only the
experienced players but also youngsters, who have match-winning ability and an
incredible skill set.
“Every side has its weaknesses, and we have studied Senegal in depth as we have
planned for this game. We are sure they will be analysing our approach, too, so
this could be decided on the small details.
“I don’t give a damn about [the criticism]. There are those who have confidence in
what we are trying to achieve and those who are sceptical. I pay it no attention.”
Senegal, meanwhile, edged to a 1-0 win over 10-man Mali in the Quarter Finals,
but dominated from start to finish to reach the final four.
While a lot of the pre-match build-up has centred on former Liverpool team mates
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah coming face to face again, it is Senegal’s
defensive solidity that could be key to reaching the showpiece.
Senegal have kept 18 clean sheets in their 27 AFCON games over the last five
editions (67%), at least four more than any other team in this period.
However, head coach Pape Thiaw is wary of the threat posed to his side by the
likes of Omar Marmoush and Salah, who has been involved in a goal in each of
his four matches at the 2025 edition (four goals, one assist).
“The Egyptian team plays excellently and knows how to defend, but we play in a
balanced way and hope to show our best performance in the match,” he said.
“Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush are two great and outstanding players, but
we are facing the entire Egyptian national team.
“With all due respect to them, we are determined to advance and secure a spot in
the final.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senegal – Sadio Mane
Mane’s next goal or assist will make him the first player on record (since 2010) to
reach 20 goal involvements at the AFCON (currently 10 goals, 9 assists).
His next goal, meanwhile, will see him become the ninth player in the
tournament’s history to score more than 10 goals.
Egypt – Mohamed Salah
Salah has made six defensive-line-breaking passes at the 2025 AFCON, with
former Liverpool team mate Mane (eight) the only attacker to produce more.
He has scored 11 goals in the AFCON, equalling Hassan, with only Hassan El-
Shazly finding the net more often (12) for Egypt in the competition.
The five meetings between Senegal and Egypt at the AFCON have seen just six
goals scored (three each). Of fixtures played at least five times in the competition,
only Cameroon v Ghana (1.0) has a lower goals-per-game ratio than Senegal v
Egypt (1.2).
Senegal are looking to reach the AFCON final for the third time in the last four
editions of the competition, having lost to Algeria in 2019 (1-0) and defeated
Egypt on penalties in 2022.
Egypt, meanwhile, could become the first team to reach 10 finals at the
tournament (currently level with Ghana on nine).
They have progressed from each of their last seven semi-finals (1986, 1998, 2006,
2008, 2010, 2017 and 2021), which is already the longest streak in the
competition’s history.
But Senegal have scored in all nine games they have played at the AFCON since
the start of the 2023 edition (20 goals in total) – it is the best goal per game ratio
(2.2) of any team across the last two editions.
