Nigeria Vs Morocco: Team News, Head-to-Head, History And Key Battles Ahead Of AFCON Semi-final

Nigeria Vs Morocco: Team News, Head-to-Head, History And Key Battles Ahead Of AFCON Semi-final

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s quest for a fourth CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title continues on Wednesday, January 14, when the Super Eagles face tournament hosts Morocco in a blockbuster semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT), BSNSpors.com.ng reports.

The encounter pits two of the tournament’s most impressive sides against each other. Nigeria arrive with a flawless record, having won all five of their matches, while Morocco remain unbeaten with four victories and a draw.

This will be the sixth AFCON meeting between the two nations, and their first in the competition in 22 years. It is also only the second time Nigeria and Morocco will clash at the semi-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, with a place in Sunday’s final at stake.

Both teams have navigated their way to the last four with relative comfort, but Wednesday’s showdown represents the sternest test yet for either side. Morocco will once again draw inspiration from a partisan home crowd of more than 68,000 supporters, while Nigeria will look to their potent attacking force to secure a place in the final.

Nigeria: form and team news

The Super Eagles enter the semi-final as the competition’s standout performers. They boast a perfect record and lead the scoring charts with 14 goals, just two shy of the all-time AFCON single-tournament record of 16, set by Côte d’Ivoire in 2008.

Much of Nigeria’s attacking success has been driven by Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who have combined to score nearly two-thirds of the team’s goals. Their form has propelled Nigeria toward a potential ninth AFCON final appearance and only the second time in the nation’s history they would reach the final in consecutive editions.

However, Nigeria will be without captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended after receiving a second yellow card in the quarter-final victory over Algeria.

Morocco: form and team news

Hosts Morocco have won four of their five matches en route to the semi-finals, with Walid Regragui’s side excelling at both ends of the pitch.

Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz has been central to their attacking output, scoring in five consecutive matches. His five goals account for more than half of Morocco’s total tally of nine.

Defensively, the Atlas Lions have been near-impenetrable, conceding just one goal so far, the best defensive record of the tournament.

This semi-final marks Morocco’s first appearance at this stage of the AFCON in 22 years. The hosts are aiming to reach the final for only the third time in their history, having won the competition in 1976 and finished runners-up in 2004.

Morocco will be without Azzedine Ounahi, as the Girona midfielder continues to struggle with a calf injury.

Head-to-head: Nigeria vs Morocco

Nigeria and Morocco have faced each other five times previously at the Africa Cup of Nations, with all meetings producing a winner. Morocco hold the edge, with three victories to Nigeria’s two.

Their most recent AFCON encounter came in the group stage of the 2004 tournament, when Morocco claimed a 1–0 win courtesy of a Mustapha Hadji goal.

Overall head-to-head record:

Matches played: 11

Nigeria wins: 3

Morocco wins: 6

Draws: 2

Key players to watch

Ademola Lookman has been Nigeria’s standout performer, directly contributing to seven goals at AFCON 2025, four goals and three assists. Across the last two editions of the tournament, he has been involved in 11 goals, more than any other player in that period.

Brahim Díaz, meanwhile, stands on the brink of history. By scoring in five consecutive AFCON matches, he has equalled a 58-year-old record set by Ghana legend Osei Kofi. A goal on Wednesday would see Díaz become the first player to score in six straight AFCON games.