Nigeria and Morocco face-off in the semifinal stage of the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament in a battle billed as the ‘best attack against the best defence’.
SportPremi provides more details into the January 14th heavyweight encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Match Preview
Nigeria have been very dominant on their way to the last four at the 2025 AFCON tournament and are the only side to have won all of their five matches so far in Morocco.
The Super Eagles started off with victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in their group campaign, before thrashing Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16, which remains the biggest margin of victory so far at the tournament.
- Read this: Senegal vs Egypt preview and team news
The three-time champions then produced their best performance in a while during the quarterfinals, defeating Algeria 2-0 to advance to the semifinal. They limited the North Africans to zero attempt on target in the clash in a one-sided affair and got their goals through Victor Osimhen, who moved up to four for the tournament and Akor Adams, who netted his second of the tournament. Their goal haul of 14 is also the most at the tournament so far.
Morocco reached the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in over 20 years following their 2-0 win over Cameroon in their quarterfinal clash. The impressive Brahim Diaz, continues to lead the line having scored in all of Morocco’s matches so far at the tournament.
The Atlas Lions have won four of their five matches – the only exception being a 1-1 draw against Mali during the group stages. It was also the only match in which they have conceded so far at the tournament, while they have kept four clean sheets in total from five matches.
Head to Head Record:
04.02.2018 – Morocco 4-0 Nigeria (African Nations Championship)
25.01.2014 – Morocco 3-4 Nigeria After Extra-time (African Nations Championship)
27.01.2004 – Nigeria 0-1 Morocco (African Cup of Nations)
03.02.2000 – Nigeria 2-0 Morocco (African Cup of Nations)
19.03.1980 – Nigeria 1-0 Morocco (African Cup of Nations)
Team News
Nigeria:
Nigeria have been dealt a huge blow as they will be without captain Wilfried Ndidi for the clash, after he picked up a caution in the quarterfinal win over Algeria. It was his second booking of the tournament, after his yellow card in the Round of 16 clash against Mozambique, ruling him out of the semifinal match.
Bright Osayi-Samuel also went off with injury, but the defender has revealed it was only cramps and is expected to return to the starting lineup.
Predicted Lineups:
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Nwabali
Defenders: Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi.
Midfielders: Onyedika, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman.
Forwards: Adams, Osimhen.
Morocco:
Morocco will be without midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who was ruled out of the tournament ahead of the knockout rounds.
Predicted Lineups:
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Bono
Defenders: Mazraoui, Aguerd, Masina, Hakimi.
Midfielders: El Aynaoui, Saibari, El Khannouss.
Forwards: Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi, Diaz.
Time and Venue
The match will take place at the 68,700-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday January 14, with kickoff time at 9 PM Nigerian time.
SportPremi Prediction
Nigeria 2-1 Morocco
The Super Eagles have enough quality to edge the clash and march on to the finals of the competition for a second consecutive edition.
