Nigeria vs Morocco AFCON semi-final sees Super Eagles chase a fourth title against hosts seeking first crown since 1976

Nigeria vs Morocco AFCON semi-final headlines a decisive clash at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, as the Super Eagles take on tournament hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, January 14.

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Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm local time (20h00 GMT), with both nations entering the last four unbeaten and carrying contrasting but equally compelling ambitions.

Nigeria, three-time African champions, are bidding for a fourth AFCON title, while Morocco are chasing a long-awaited return to continental glory, having last lifted the trophy in 1976.

The match marks the sixth AFCON meeting between the two countries and their first at the tournament in 22 years.

It is also only the second time they will face each other in an AFCON semi-final.

Nigeria won the previous semi-final encounter in 1980, when a ninth-minute goal from Felix Owolabi sealed a 1-0 victory on their way to their maiden AFCON triumph.

The Super Eagles arrive in Rabat in commanding form, having won all five matches at AFCON 2025. They have scored at least two goals in every game, a feat Nigeria have only achieved once before, in 2000.

Their 14 goals at the current finals represent the country’s highest tally at a single AFCON edition. Nigeria have also scored in 12 consecutive AFCON matches, underlining their attacking consistency.

Victor Osimhen has been central to that dominance, netting four goals and contributing assists in the tournament.

Nigeria have never lost an AFCON match in which Osimhen has scored or assisted, a powerful statistic ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.

Morocco, meanwhile, booked their semi-final place with a 1-0 quarter-final win over Cameroon, reaching the last four for the first time since 2004.

It is only the second time the Atlas Lions have progressed beyond the quarter-finals in AFCON history.

As hosts, Morocco have built their campaign on defensive resilience, recording four clean sheets, the most they have ever managed at a single AFCON. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has set a national record in the process.

Offensively, Brahim Díaz has been Morocco’s standout performer, scoring five goals and becoming the first player since 2021 to score in five matches at a single AFCON.

He now sits one goal shy of Ahmed Faras’ all-time AFCON scoring record for Morocco.

Historically, Morocco hold the overall edge in meetings between the sides, with six wins to Nigeria’s three in 11 encounters.

However, all five AFCON meetings between them have produced a winner, with momentum often swinging late, as seven of the 11 AFCON goals in this fixture have come in the second half.

Nigeria’s record against host nations at AFCON adds another layer of intrigue.

The Super Eagles have faced tournament hosts ten times, winning three, drawing three and losing four.

In knockout matches against hosts, Nigeria have won only once in open play.

Still, Nigeria’s pedigree at this stage is formidable. Tuesday’s match will be their record-extending 16th AFCON semi-final, and a win would send them into a ninth final, drawing level with Ghana.

For Morocco, victory would mark only their second AFCON final appearance and their first in more than two decades, potentially igniting scenes of national celebration.

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As Rabat prepares for a charged night under the lights, the Nigeria vs Morocco AFCON semi-final promises intensity, history and consequence, with one nation moving a step closer to continental immortality.