AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Preview: Nigeria vs Morocco — History, Form, and Key Stats

Nigeria are chasing a fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations title, while hosts Morocco are aiming to lift their first AFCON trophy since 1976 when the two giants meet in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals on 14 January at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Nigeria vs Morocco: Undefeated Paths to the Semi-Finals

Both sides arrive unbeaten at AFCON 2025:

Nigeria: Five wins from five matches

Morocco: Four wins and one draw

This clash marks their sixth meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations, with all previous AFCON encounters producing a winner. It is also their first AFCON meeting in 22 years and only the second time they face each other in a semi-final.

Head-to-Head History at AFCON

Total AFCON meetings: 5

Morocco wins: 3

Nigeria wins: 2

Their first encounters came in AFCON 1976, when Morocco defeated Nigeria twice en route to their only continental title. Nigeria, however, claimed victory in their only previous AFCON semi-final clash in 1980, winning 1–0 thanks to a ninth-minute goal from Felix Owolabi.

Their most recent AFCON meeting was in 2004, when Morocco edged Nigeria 1–0 in the group stage.

Nigeria vs Host Nations: A Tough Trend

Nigeria have faced AFCON host nations 10 times, recording:

3 wins

3 draws

4 losses

They also faced tournament hosts Côte d’Ivoire twice in AFCON 2023, winning in the group stage but losing the final. This will be Nigeria’s third direct knockout match against a host, having previously fallen to Tunisia (2004) and Ghana (2008).

Nigeria Key Stats – AFCON 2025

Defeated Algeria 2–0 in the quarter-finals

Scored at least two goals in all five matches (a first in AFCON history for Nigeria)

14 goals scored — their highest tally at a single AFCON

Five consecutive wins for the first time ever at AFCON

Contesting a record-extending 16th AFCON semi-final

Victor Osimhen: 4 goals, 10 total goal involvements (5 goals, 5 assists)

Nigeria have never lost an AFCON match when Osimhen scores or assists

A victory would send Nigeria to their ninth AFCON final, potentially drawing level with Ghana.

Morocco Key Stats – AFCON 2025

Defeated Cameroon in the quarter-finals

First semi-final appearance since 2004

Four clean sheets, the most ever by Morocco at a single AFCON

Yassine Bounou becomes the first Moroccan goalkeeper with four AFCON clean sheets

Brahim Díaz has scored in five consecutive matches

Morocco have scored five set-piece goals, the most in the tournament

A win would take Morocco to their second AFCON final and make them the second consecutive host nation to reach the final.

What’s at Stake

Nigeria: A fourth AFCON title and back-to-back final appearances

Morocco: A historic home final and first title in nearly 50 years

With elite form, rich history, and contrasting strengths, Nigeria vs Morocco promises to be one of the most compelling semi-finals in AFCON 2025.

Kickoff: Wednesday, 14 January
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat

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