Morocco and Nigeria meet in Wednesday’s Afcon 2025 semi-final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Both countries are bidding for the final, with the Super Eagles having the chance to play back-to-back finals while the Atlas Lions want to play the final for the first time since 2004.
The two nations have been ruthless in their path to this stage – Nigeria perfect so far while Morocco only dropped points in the 1-1 draw with Mali in the Group stages.
Here are three of the key match-ups that are likely to have a strong bearing on the result:
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) vs Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco)
One of the most anticipated match ups will be Nigeria defensive wall Calvin Bassey against Morocco’s leading centre forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
Bassey’s combines both physique and intelligence and loves to initiate attacks from defence with his brilliant range of passing.
In El Kaabi, he faces his match in terms of physique and a forward hungry to get the ball into the back of the net.
His movement also creates openings for his wingers and that explains why he has started all matches after coming off the bench against Comoros on match day one.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) vs Nayef Aguerd (Morocco)
Osimhen continues to prove his importance in the Super Eagles attack after he also opened the scoring in the Algeria victory and then assisted Akor Adams goal.
His strong both on ground and aerial duels but in Nayef Aguerd, he finds his own match.
The Moroccan centre back has been the constant at the heart of defence since injury to Romain Saïss on day one and if his nation is to get to the final, he must come clean against arguably the best centre forward on the continent.
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) vs Neil El Aynaoui (Morocco)
Iwobi is the key cog in Eric Chelle’s machine dictating the tempo in the middle of the pack and unlocking compact defences with clever passes as witnessed in all matches he has played.
The Fulham star is the man that keeps the Super Eagles ticking over and arguably the team’s most important player despite low plaudits.
Iwobi however must be at his best as he comes up against another silent lion in Neil El Aynaoui who has done superb for Morocco since replacing Sofyan Amrabat and injured Azzedine Ounahi in the middle of the pack.
Aynaoui is the silent enforcer in Regragui’s team winning possession back with ease and his passing range is up there with the best.
Bruno Onyemaechi (Nigeria) vs Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
Diaz is a candidate for the Afcon player of the tournament having scored in each match and leads the goal scoring chats with 5 goals in as many matches.
His explosive pace and technique and ability to get into scoring positions has given defenders nightmares.
Now, Nigeria left back Bruno Onyemaechi has the task to mark the Real Madrid budding star.
The left back has gone about his business quietly also venturing forward and assisted Osimhen with a pinpoint cross in the Algerian game.
But before he thinks about going forward, he must stop Diaz and perhaps the marauding Hakimi.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) vs Achraf Hakim (Morocco)
After missing the first two games on the sidelines, Hakimi has now started back-to-back matches in the knock out phase.
His combination of hard graft and guile at both ends of the pitch must be stopped and who does the job better than Nigeria’s star boy Ademola Lookman.
While Osimhen could win the tournament’s Golden Boot, Lookman has been the cornerstone of Nigeria’s success in the tournament, creating several chances, assisting four times and also got three goals to his name.
With both being the heart and soul of their teams’ ‘creativity’, the one who manages to gain control could be responsible for the result of what should be a balanced clash on Wednesday.