AFCON 2025: Morocco looking to exorcise 1980 hoodoo against Nigeria

After a three-day breather following pulsating quarter-final encounters, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) roars back to life on Wednesday 14, January with two high-stakes semi-final showdowns.

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The last four will see a fascinating clash of regions, pitting North African nations against West African sides in the two semis.

Record seven-time champions Egypt face 2021 winners Senegal in one semi-final, while three-time winners Nigeria lock horns with host nation Morocco in a mouth-watering late kick-off.

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The spotlight on Wednesday, 14 January, will firmly be on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where Nigeria take on hosts Morocco in an 11:00 PM (EAT) encounter expected to be played in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd.

The clash marks the sixth competitive AFCON meeting between the two heavyweights, rekindling a rivalry that has been dormant at the continental stage since their last encounter in 2004.

Historically, Morocco holds a slight edge in AFCON meetings, having registered three victories to Nigeria’s two.

Overall, across all competitions, the two nations have met 11 times, with the Atlas Lions winning six, Nigeria claiming three, while two matches ended in draws.

Wednesday’s semi-final also stirs memories of the iconic 1980 AFCON, when Nigeria edged Morocco 1-0 at the semi-final stage on home soil before going on to lift their maiden continental title.

That victory remains etched in Nigerian folklore and adds an extra layer of intrigue to this latest chapter.

For the Super Eagles, this will be their 16th appearance at the AFCON semi-final stage, with previous triumphs in 1980, 1994, and 2013 still serving as benchmarks of success.

Morocco, meanwhile, are making only their sixth semi-final appearance, having last lifted the trophy in 1976, their sole AFCON title to date.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle described Morocco as the “biggest test” yet for his side but insisted his players are ready for the challenge.

"We are ready to face the Lions in all aspects, and we will work to qualify for the final. The match against Morocco will be different from previous matches, as they are a strong team and have a distinguished coach, Walid Regragui, who is different from the Algerian coach,” Chelle told reporters.

“We have to work hard to win this on Wednesday. Of course, it is very demanding travelling to different places within three days ahead of a semi-final, but as professionals, it doesn’t matter. We must be mentally ready and give our best despite the stress. We have no excuses.” he continued.

"Algeria was a test but Morocco is the biggest test. Every game is the biggest test for this team because the expectation is so high. We are ready for this game, for all of the games that we play in this tournament. We try to play every game like the last and we will give everything as we have given everything,” he added.

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Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, on his part, acknowledged Nigeria’s pedigree but dismissed claims of any undue advantage for the hosts.

"Morocco hasn’t reached the AFCON semi-finals in a long time. We face a strong, consistent team, and our goal is to win and advance to the final,” Regragui said.

“We know we are going to face a very strong team. Nigeria are a top country in African football, but they must understand that coming here will not be easy. We are ready to fight for the victory.” he acknowledged.

“Talking about refereeing is bad. We are in a beautiful continent, there is a lot of work being done, and some people imagine we win matches thanks to referees,” he continued.

“As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage. The only advantage that Morocco has, is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field, we speak on the field,” the former Morocco right back added.

Nigeria head into the encounter riding a perfect five-match winning streak at the tournament, while Morocco remain unbeaten and buoyed by home support.

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With past scars, national pride, and a place in the final at stake, all signs point to a fiercely contested semi-final befitting the grandeur of Africa’s premier football stage.