The eyes of the continent turn to Rabat tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, as the tournament hosts Morocco face the prolific Super Eagles of Nigeria in the AFCON 2025 Semi-finals. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT (21:00 WAT / 23:00 EAT) at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
This is a clash of two footballing philosophies: Nigeria’s unstoppable "scorched earth" attack versus Morocco’s disciplined, home-backed defensive wall. With a place in Sunday’s final against either Senegal or Egypt on the line, the stakes could not be higher.
Match Details: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (Semi-finals)
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT / 21:00 WAT / 15:00 ET
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
Referee: Dan Laryea (Ghana)
Broadcast: beIN SPORTS (US/Middle East), E4 (UK), SuperSport (Africa)
The Storyline: Firepower vs. The Fortress
Nigeria: The Tournament’s Best Attack
Under the guidance of Malian coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria has been the most dominant force in this tournament. They are the only team to win all five of their matches so far, scoring a staggering 14 goals in the process. Their 2–0 quarter-final masterclass against Algeria silenced critics who doubted their defensive balance.
The headline story has been the partnership of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Despite rumors of a "furious bust-up" during the Round of 16, the duo combined beautifully to dismantle the Algerian defense, proving that their shared goal of a fourth title outweighs any personal friction.
Morocco: The Host Nation’s Pressure
For Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions, the pressure is immense. Morocco hasn't reached an AFCON final since 2004, and doing so on home soil is seen as a national mandate. Their path has been built on an ironclad defense, having conceded only one goal throughout the tournament.
With the return of captain Romain Saïss and the electric form of Brahim Diaz, who has scored in every match so far, the hosts believe they have the tactical maturity to neutralize Nigeria’s "three-headed monster" of Lookman, Osimhen, and Akor Adams.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Nigeria Team News
Major Blow: Captain Wilfred Ndidi is suspended for this clash due to an accumulation of yellow cards. His loss in the defensive midfield pivot is a significant worry for Chelle.
Injury Doubt: Right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel limped off against Algeria; young defender Igoh Ogbu is on standby to replace him.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel (or Ogbu), Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Iwobi; Lookman, Adams, Osimhen.
Morocco Team News
Out: Midfield breakout star Azzedine Ounahi has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a calf injury.
Boost: Captain Achraf Hakimi and Romain Saïss are both fully fit and expected to lead the defensive line.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Saïss; Saibari, El Aynaoui, El Khannouss; Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi, Diaz.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Historical Edge: Morocco holds a slight advantage overall (6 wins to Nigeria's 3, with 2 draws).
AFCON History: This is the first AFCON meeting between the two since 2004 (a 1–0 Morocco win).
Defensive Prowess: Morocco has kept four clean sheets in five games this tournament.
The "Two-Goal" Rule: Nigeria is the only team at AFCON 2025 to score at least two goals in every single match they have played.
Tactical Analysis: Midfield Battleground
The game will likely be decided in the center of the park. Without Ndidi, Nigeria may struggle to track the movement of Brahim Diaz, who often drops deep to collect the ball. Raphael Onyedika will have the massive task of protecting the Nigerian back four.
Conversely, Morocco’s full-backs, Hakimi and Mazraoui, must balance their attacking instincts; if they push too high, the pace of Ademola Lookman on the break could be lethal.
Match Prediction
This is truly a 50/50 encounter. Nigeria has the better individual form, but Morocco has the organization and the backing of 50,000 passionate fans in Rabat. It is likely to be a cagey affair that could go the distance.
Final Score Prediction: Nigeria 1–1 Morocco (Morocco to win on penalties)
