Nigeria are starting to look unstoppable at the Africa Cup of Nations, powering into the semifinals as the only team with a 100 per cent winning record at the tournament.
Standing between the Super Eagles and a place in the final are hosts Morocco — Africa’s highest ranked national team, 2022 World Cup semifinalists and a nation chasing history on home soil.
It is a heavyweight showdown loaded with pressure, pedigree and pride.
For Nigeria, this AFCON run is about redemption after the pain of missing out on the World Cup. For Morocco, it is about destiny — winning the trophy in front of their fans for the first time in 50 years.
Nigeria’s Perfect Run Sends a Warning
The Super Eagles topped Group C with three wins from three, then blew away Mozambique 4–0 in the quarterfinals before dispatching Algeria 2–0 to book a semifinal place.
They are the only semifinalists to win all five matches, and the competition’s most devastating attack, scoring 14 goals in five games.
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It is Nigeria’s 17th AFCON semifinal appearance in the last 20 tournaments they have qualified for — a statistic that underlines their pedigree on this stage.
Morocco Carry History and Expectation
Morocco topped Group A unbeaten with seven points, before edging Tanzania 1–0 in the round of 16 and knocking out five-time champions Cameroon 2–0 in the quarterfinals.
This is the Atlas Lions’ first AFCON semifinal since 2004, a drought that has weighed heavily on a generation of Moroccan fans.
Coach Walid Regragui, who played in that 2004 final loss to Tunisia, knows what is at stake.
“Moroccans have not seen their team in the semifinals of an AFCON for 22 years,” he said.
“They deserve it, but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic.”
Star Power Everywhere
Nigeria’s attacking spark has been led by Ademola Lookman, who has been electric throughout the tournament. With three goals and four assists, he has been Nigeria’s most influential player and a leading contender for AFCON Player of the Tournament.
Alongside him, Victor Osimhen continues to terrorise defences. The Napoli striker has four goals so far and is now just two goals away from equalling Rashidi Yekini’s all time Nigeria scoring record of 37.
Quietly effective, Akor Adams has emerged as an unsung hero with two goals and two assists in the last two matches, while Alex Iwobi has dictated tempo and Wilfred Ndidi has anchored midfield with authority.
Morocco, however, boast the tournament’s most in form individual star.
Brahim Díaz has scored in all five of Morocco’s matches, leading the AFCON scoring chart with five goals. Coach Regragui has described the Real Madrid winger as the team’s “X factor” — and it is hard to disagree.
Elsewhere, Ayoub El Kaabi has added bite in attack, while Achraf Hakimi, back to full fitness after an ankle injury, brings elite quality and leadership down the right flank.
History Favors Morocco — Momentum Favors Nigeria
The two sides have met 11 times previously. Morocco hold a slight edge with six wins, Nigeria have four, and one match ended in a draw.
But history may count for little here.
Nigeria arrive with ruthless momentum, goals flowing and belief surging. Morocco arrive with a nation behind them, chasing a moment that could redefine their football history.
The winner will face either Senegal or Egypt in the final.
One thing is certain: this semifinal feels less like a last four clash and more like AFCON’s real final before the final.
