AFCON 2025: Nigeria vs Morocco Preview – Kick-Off Time, Team News & Key Players

All eyes will be on Rabat as two African powerhouses, Nigeria and Morocco, go head-to-head in a blockbuster AFCON 2025 semi-final clash. The winner will take a giant step toward lifting the coveted trophy, while the loser’s campaign ends in heartbreak.

Nigeria vs Morocco: Match Overview

The Super Eagles, led by stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, have impressed in the tournament so far, boasting a perfect record of five wins from five matches. Morocco, the host nation, will be eager to add to their sole AFCON triumph from 1976 and silence the home crowd with another historic run.

• Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
• Kick-Off Time: 9:00 PM WAT
• Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco

Stars in the Spotlight

Nigeria

• Victor Osimhen – Four goals in the tournament; a lethal finisher and constant threat in the final third.
• Ademola Lookman – Three goals and four assists, currently leading the tournament in creative contributions.
• Alex Iwobi – Orchestrates the midfield with precision passes, making the Super Eagles difficult to contain.

Morocco

• Brahim Diaz – The Real Madrid forward leads Morocco with five goals, driving their attack with flair and composure.
• Achraf Hakimi – The PSG star provides pace, width, and defensive solidity, crucial for Morocco’s balanced setup.

The host nation will rely heavily on the electric support of their home crowd, which could prove decisive in this high-stakes clash.

Team News

Nigeria

• Wilfred Ndidi is suspended after picking up his second yellow card in the quarter-final against Algeria.
• Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge) is expected to replace Ndidi in midfield.
• Otherwise, Nigeria has no major injury concerns.

Morocco

• Morocco is likely to field a full-strength squad, with no significant absences reported.

Head-to-Head at AFCON

Historically, Morocco has had the upper hand in AFCON meetings, winning three of their five encounters:

• 1976: Morocco 3-1 Nigeria (group stage)
• 1976: Morocco 2-1 Nigeria (same tournament)
• 2004: Morocco 1-0 Nigeria (Tunisia)

Nigeria will be eager to rewrite history and avenge past defeats as they aim for another final after losing the 2023 AFCON final to Côte d’Ivoire.

Predicted Outcome

Both teams are in red-hot form and capable of delivering memorable football. While Morocco seeks to leverage home advantage, Nigeria’s attacking trio of Osimhen, Lookman, and Iwobi will be difficult to contain.

Expect a tightly contested clash where small margins could decide who books their ticket to the AFCON 2025 final.

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