AFCON
Morocco vs Nigeria: Everything You Need To Know About The AFCON 2025 Semi-Final In Rabat
As hosts, Morocco prepares to face Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, and the weight of history sits heavily on their shoulders.
The Atlas Lions have dreams of ending a 50-year wait for continental glory, but their path is blocked by a formidable opponent one with a history of halting Moroccan ambitions at crucial moments.
This encounter promises more than just a match. It’s a clash of legacies, form, psychology, and the hunger of two footballing giants seeking a place in the final.
Morocco’s Troubled Semi-Final Past
Morocco’s record at the semi-final stage of the AFCON is, quite simply, bleak.
When they last won the tournament in 1976, the now-familiar semi-final format didn’t exist. The champion was determined by a final group stage, where Morocco topped the table above Guinea and Nigeria.
Since then, Morocco has played four AFCON semi-finals and won just once.
Their lone semi-final victory came 22 years ago, in Tunisia in 2004, when they dismantled Mali 4-0 in one of the most dominant semi-final performances the competition has ever seen.
Yet heartbreak followed, with a 2-1 loss to host nation Tunisia in the final.
Before that rare success, the semi-finals were a graveyard of narrow defeats. In 1980, Morocco lost 1-0 to host Nigeria. In 1986, they were beaten 1-0 by host Egypt.
In 1988, they lost 1-0 to Cameroon on home soil. A cruel pattern emerges: every team that has beaten Morocco in an AFCON semi-final has gone on to lift the trophy.
Nigeria may see that as an encouraging omen as it aims to extend the trend.
Morocco’s in AFCON 2025
Though not always explosive, Morocco has been highly efficient in this year’s tournament. Their approach has been disciplined and workmanlike, and several players have reached new historical milestones.
Brahim Díaz
Brahim Díaz has been Morocco’s standout attacker, scoring in five consecutive games a national record at the AFCON. He is now just one goal shy of equalling Ahmed Faras’ all-time Moroccan scoring record at the tournament, putting him on the brink of immortality.
Yassine Bounou
Yassine Bounou, one of Morocco’s most influential performers, made history by becoming the first Moroccan goalkeeper to keep four clean sheets at a single AFCON. His stability has been central to Morocco’s success.
Set-Piece Specialists
Morocco has also shown a deadly proficiency from set pieces, scoring more goals from dead-ball situations (five) than any other team at AFCON 2025.
With Nigeria traditionally strong but occasionally vulnerable in defensive transitions, this could be a decisive factor.
Morocco vs Nigeria: The AFCON Rivalry
This semi-final marks the sixth meeting between Morocco and Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. The rivalry has always delivered decisive outcomes every AFCON match between them has produced a winner.
Their past battles tell a story of tightly contested encounters. In 1976, during the group stage and final round, Morocco won both matches (3-1 and 2-1) on their way to the title. In the 1980 semi-final, Nigeria triumphed 1-0 thanks to Felix Owolabi’s ninth-minute strike.
In 2000, during the group stage, Nigeria eliminated Morocco with a 2-0 win, courtesy of Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa. In 2004, during the group stage, Morocco claimed a 1-0 victory in their opening match, with Youssouf Hadji scoring the late winner.
Their 2025 meeting is the first in 21 years, and with a place in the final at stake, it may be the most significant chapter yet in their storied AFCON rivalry.
What’s at Stake in Rabat
For Morocco, this is an opportunity to end decades of disappointment, to overcome a semi-final curse, and to move one step closer to lifting the trophy on home soil.
The memories of past failures linger, but so does the belief of a nation that has embraced this golden generation.
For Nigeria, it is a chance to once again assert itself as one of Africa’s most consistent football forces.
With the knowledge that Morocco’s previous semi-final defeats led directly to their opponents winning the title, the Super Eagles know what victory here could mean.
