Nigeria and Morocco set for mouth-watering test
Nigeria boss Eric Chelle has revealed that his team could adopt a more defensive approach for its Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against host Morocco Thursday (AEDT).
Chelle's team, which finished runner-up in the 2023 edition of this tournament, has been in fine form this year, topping the charts for goals with 14.
It has also scored at least two goals in all five matches in this tournament and could become the first team to do so in six consecutive matches in a single edition.
However, it faces a stern test in Morocco, which has won its past three games at AFCON without conceding a goal, while it has not let one in from open play thus far.
Nigeria has not won the competition since a 2013 success over Burkina Faso, and Chelle believes a more reserved game plan could be more successful for his team against the host.
"Morocco is a strong team, and there will be pressure in front of the host nation," Chelle said.
"I feel that my squad is tired, so I may have to change my approach. We might let Morocco have the ball and wait for them.
"We have seen that they struggle when they come up against a low block. I think we will start like that.
"We will try to hold on in the first half and then play our game in the second half."
Morocco, meanwhile, has enjoyed a dream campaign in the first AFCON tournament it has hosted since 1988, when Cameroon emerged victorious.
But coach Walid Regragui's side has the chance to make history with a semi-final win, which would book its place in an AFCON showpiece for the first time since 2004.
It has already beaten Tanzania and Cameroon in the knockout stage on its way to the final four, but its progression has been criticised by the media because it is the host nation.
Some broadcast pundits and supporters online have bemoaned a perceived leniency towards Morocco from the tournament officials.
Regragui, however, has poured cold water on those conspiracies, saying: "It's always a shame to go down this path.
"They want to make people believe that matches are always won this way.
"Let's not kid ourselves, it's always been the case on the African continent to sow doubts and controversies. You journalists need to do your job.
"A penalty can be given one way in one match and not in another. A handball is called in one match and not in another.
"I watch a lot of matches because we have many players in Europe, and the controversies are the same everywhere, in Africa or in Europe."
