DR ‹ › Players and fans alike are gearing up for a blockbuster showdown as Morocco and Nigeria meet in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 on January 14 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The clash is steeped in history and significance, with Morocco chasing a second continental title and Nigeria aiming for their fourth. The two sides have faced each other 11 times overall, with Morocco holding the edge: six wins to Nigeria's three, alongside two draws, according to CAF stats. At the AFCON, this will be their sixth meeting. Their rivalry dates back to 1976, when Morocco defeated Nigeria twice in the group stages (3–1 and 2–1) on their way to lifting their only AFCON trophy. They crossed paths again in the 1980 semi-final, where Nigeria secured a 1–0 victory en route to their first continental title. Nigeria also prevailed in the group stage in 2000 with a 2–0 win, while Morocco claimed the most recent AFCON encounter in 2004, edging the Super Eagles 1–0 thanks to a late goal from Youssef Hadji. Notably, seven of the 11 goals scored across their five AFCON encounters have come in the second half, highlighting how tight and decisive these clashes tend to be. This semi-final marks their first AFCON meeting in 22 years and only the second time they have faced each other at this stage of the competition. At this year's tournament both teams arrive unbeaten. Nigeria have won all five of their matches so far, while Morocco have recorded four wins and one draw, setting the stage for a fiercely contested semi-final in Rabat.
