Both teams come undefeated to this great competition, but only Nigeria can boast an impeccable record after winning all five matches so far.
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A 1-1 draw against Mali in the group stage is the only blemish on Morocco’s record, but it counts for little at this stage, particularly when a place in the final is at stake.
The 1976 AFCON champions will be hoping for a chance to stop Nigeria, but the Super Eagles are determined to redeem themselves after falling short in the previous final.
Match preview
Nigeria has been a force to be reckoned with in this tournament.
Still recovering from failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and losing to Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final, Nigeria are desperate to right their wrongs.
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The Super Eagles have become a reborn team under the leadership of Eric Chelle.
The disappointment of the World Cup meant that the three-time African champions came to the AFCON with modest expectations, but they have been unstoppable.
Nigeria defeated Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to qualify for the knockout rounds as winners of Group C before adding Mozambique and Algeria to their list of casualties in the previous two rounds.
The Super Eagles now have their sights set on reaching back-to-back AFCON finals for the first time in almost four decades, but Morocco will be a different proposition.
Nigeria have won four of their last 11 meetings with Morocco in major competitions since 1969 (D1, L6), although they have only managed one victory in the previous six.
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They suffered a resounding 4-0 defeat the last time they faced Morocco, so this semi-final clash is an ideal platform for revenge, even though it has been eight years.
Morocco have also been impressive in this tournament so far, recording comfortable wins over Comoros and Zambia, as well as a draw with Mali.
They made easy work of Tanzania and Cameroon coming into this game and have one of the best defenses in the tournament.
So far, Mali are the only team to overcome Morocco’s outstanding rearguard, but they will need more than that to stop Nigeria.
This will be Morocco’s fifth appearance in the AFCON semi-finals, and is also their best run since 2004. If they beat Nigeria, they will reach the final for the first time in more than two decades.
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Nigeria AFCON Form
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Moroccan AFCON form
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Team News
Nigeria will be without Wilfred Ndidi, who will serve a one-match suspension after accumulating cautions.
Without a doubt, the absence of their captain will be a hard blow for the Super Eagles. But they have a capable replacement in Raphael Onyedika, who bagged a brace in the 3-1 win against Uganda.
Bright Osayi-Samuel will also be assessed before the match after being forced off late against Algeria.
Morocco has had its fair share of injury problems during the tournament.
The Atlas Lions will be without Azzedine Ounahi and Romain Saiss against Nigeria, but the return of Achraf Hakimi will certainly lift spirits in the dressing room.
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Nigeria’s potential starting lineup:
(4-3-1-2): Stanley Nwabali; Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Frank Onyeka, Raphaël Onyedika, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman; Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen.
Morocco’s potential starting lineup:
(4-3-3): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui; Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari; Brahim Díaz, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi.
Match prediction
Nigeria has been the most consistent team in the tournament so far. His career up to this stage has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Critics argued that they have barely faced any opponents of their level, but their comprehensive victory over Algeria nipped those murmurs in the bud.
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While Morocco is determined to end its five-decade continental trophy drought, the Super Eagles are the team to beat for good reason.
We expect a fiercely contested showdown from start to finish between two of Africa’s largest nations.
However, Nigeria are moving like a team determined to make up for falling at the last hurdle of the previous edition, so Morocco may be unable to prevent them from reaching back-to-back finals.
Nigeria 2-1 Morocco