Morocco coach Walid Regragui has described his team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against Nigeria as a ‘final,’ highlighting the high stakes as the Atlas Lions aim to reach their first AFCON final on home soil since 1976.
The semi-final will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 14 January at 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT), setting up a marquee encounter between two of Africa’s football powerhouses.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Regragui reflected on the significance of the moment, noting that it has been many years since Morocco reached the semi-finals of a home-hosted AFCON.
“We are happy to reach the semi-finals, and the match will not be easy—it will be a strong contest between the two teams.”
Both teams arrive undefeated. Nigeria has won all five of their matches en route to the last four, bidding for a fourth AFCON title, while Morocco has recorded four wins and one draw, relying on their tactical discipline and home advantage to navigate a challenging path.
Regragui emphasized that his squad is focused on securing a place in the final to delight Moroccan fans, underscoring the pressure and importance of the semi-final.
“The semi-finals in this edition feature the four best African teams, which reflects the strength of the competition this year.”
Historically, Morocco and Nigeria have faced each other 12 times, with Morocco winning six, Nigeria three, and two draws.
This AFCON semi-final will mark their sixth meeting in the tournament and their first in 22 years, as well as only the second time the two nations have met in an AFCON semi-final.
All five previous AFCON encounters produced a winner, adding to the intensity and anticipation surrounding this highly competitive showdown.
