Morocco begin their bid for a second Africa Cup of Nations title with a highly anticipated semi-final showdown against an unbeaten Nigeria side.
The Atlas Lions booked their place in the last four with a convincing 2–0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon, courtesy of goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari.
Nigeria, under the guidance of Eric Chelle, have been outstanding throughout the tournament. The Super Eagles have won all five of their matches so far, making history by scoring at least two goals in every game.
Unfortunately, they will be without influential captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
This classic African rivalry is being renewed after a 22-year absence, marking the first meeting between the two nations since 2002. The winner of this semi-final will advance to the final to face either Egypt or Senegal.
Overall, this will be the sixth AFCON encounter between Morocco and Nigeria and only their second semi-final meeting, with Nigeria having won the previous one 1–0 in 1980.
Below, Flashscore provides all the essential information ahead of the clash, including broadcast details, potential lineups, and more.
When is the Africa Cup of Nations match?
The match between Nigeria and Morocco is scheduled for 21:00 (West African Time) on Wednesday, January 14th.
Where can you watch the game on TV?
Channels: SuperSport, AfroSport, NTA, beIN Sports
Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa Utd), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars), Francis Uzoho(Omonia)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias)
Forwards: Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos), Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961).
Nigeria's possible XI: Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman, Osimhen, Adams
Morocco squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal / Saudi Arabia), Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane), El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja CA)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids FC / Egypt), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Najma SC / Saudi Arabia), Roman Saïss (Al-Sadd SC / Qatar), Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Amiens SC / Ligue 2), Nayef Aguerd (Olympique de Marseille), Adam Masina (Torino FC / Italy), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United / England), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven / Netherlands)
Midfielders: Oussama Targhalline (Feyenoord Rotterdam/Netherlands), Sofyan Amrabat (Betis Sevilla/Spain), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma/Italy), Bilal El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart/Germany), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona FC/Spain)
Forwards: Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid / Spain), Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal CF / Spain), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland AFC / England), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos / Greece), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain / United Arab Emirates), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Betis Seville / Spain), Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco)
Morocco's possible XI: Bono, Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, El Aynaoui, Saibari, Diaz, El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli
Where is the match?
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
This is a major football stadium located in Rabat, Morocco, with a seating capacity of approximately 69,500 spectators. Officially opened on 5 September 2025, it serves as the home ground of the Morocco national football team and is among the largest stadiums in the country.
Situated about seven kilometres from Rabat’s city centre, the stadium forms part of a modern multi-sport complex. This complex also includes an athletics track and field stadium, the indoor Salle Moulay Abdellah arena, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Designed primarily for football, the venue features advanced technology, as well as VIP and hospitality facilities.
Completed in just two years, the stadium is set to host matches of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, while the adjacent Olympic Annex stadium hosts the annual Rabat International Mohammed VI Athletics Meeting.
What has been said ahead of the match?
Coach Walid Regragui claims the fixture against the Super Eagles is the most important in Morocco’s recent history.
The Atlas Lions’ only triumph at AFCON was in 1976 and they are hoping to end their 50-year wait but the must first negotiate their way past the West Africans.
“It has been a very long time since Morocco participated in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. So, we are already very happy,” Regragui told the media.
“This is Nigeria’s 17th semi-final, which shows their strength and consistency. It’s good for African football, and we hope to live up to the spectacle.”
“All that matters to us is winning. (Wednesday’s) match is one of the most important in our history since the World Cup semi-final in Qatar in 2022. At the World Cup, it was a surprise; here, we are where we belong.”
The North Africans will no doubt enjoy a massive advantage playing before their passionate fans, but Super Eagles’ Chidozie Awaziem is unfazed by that.
“We saw the Moroccan team supporting us against the Algerians, and I know that some will still be supporting us,” he told the media.
“We don’t care about the support, we don’t care about the crowd we just want to focus on ourselves, not get distracted and try to get the job done.”
Which referee has been appointed for this classic?
CAF has appointed Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea to officiate the clash between Nigeria and Morocco.
Nii Laryea will be assisted by South Africa’s Zakhele Siwela and Lesotho’s Souru Phatsoane as assistant referees.
Mozambican official Arsenio Maringule has been named the third assistant referee, while Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda will serve as the fourth official on the touchline.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will include South Africa’s Tom Abongile, Tunisia’s Haythem Guirat, and Kenya’s Stephen Yiembe. Ethiopia’s Lydia Abebe has been appointed as the referee assessor for the high-profile semi-final encounter.
