The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

FULL LIST: What to know ahead of Super Eagles Clash against Morocco

Nigeria’s quest for a fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations title continues with a high-stakes semi-final clash against host nation Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, 14 January. Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm local time.

Nigeria head into the semi-final in perfect form, having won all five of their matches at the tournament, while hosts Morocco remain unbeaten with four wins and a draw.

The clash will be the sixth Africa Cup of Nations meeting between the two sides, with each of the previous five encounters producing a decisive outcome. It is their first AFCON meeting in 22 years and only the second time they will face each other at the semi-final stage.

Most of their previous AFCON meetings came in the group phase, with two matches in 1976, followed by encounters in 2000 and 2004. Morocco claimed victory in both meetings in 1976, while Nigeria recorded wins in 1980 and 2000. Their most recent AFCON clash was in 2004, when Morocco edged Nigeria 1-0 in the group stage.

Nigeria’s only previous semi-final meeting with Morocco came in 1980, when a ninth-minute goal from Felix Owolabi secured a 1-0 win that paved the way for the Super Eagles’ first AFCON title.

The Super Eagles have also had mixed fortunes against host nations at AFCON, posting three wins, three draws and four defeats in ten matches. This is the second consecutive tournament in which Nigeria are facing the host nation, following their encounters with Côte d’Ivoire at AFCON 2023.

In knockout matches against hosts, Nigeria have recorded just one win in five attempts, with defeats in open play and on penalties highlighting the challenge they face. This semi-final marks Nigeria’s third direct knockout clash with a host nation, adding another layer of intrigue to the high-stakes encounter.

Below is a clear, structured breakdown of all the key facts, historical meetings and tournament statistics ahead of the encounter, as outlined in CAF’s official release.

Match Overview

Fixture: Nigeria vs Morocco

Stage: Semi-final

Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat

Date: Tuesday, 14 January

Kick-off: 9pm local time (20:00 GMT)

Tournament Form

Both teams are unbeaten at AFCON 2025

Nigeria: 5 matches, 5 wins

Morocco: 4 wins, 1 draw

AFCON Head-to-Head

Sixth AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Morocco

All previous five AFCON meetings produced a winner

First AFCON meeting between both sides in 22 years

Second time both teams are meeting in an AFCON semi-final

Previous AFCON Meetings

1976 Group Stage:

Morocco 3–1 Nigeria

Morocco 2–1 Nigeria

1980 Semi-final:

Nigeria 1–0 Morocco (Felix Owolabi, 9’)

2000 Group Stage:

Nigeria 2–0 Morocco (Finidi George, Julius Aghahowa)

2004 Group Stage:

Morocco 1–0 Nigeria (Youssef Hadji)

Read Also: Oliseh: Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 form is best in 20 years

Overall Head-to-Head Record

Total meetings: 11

Nigeria: 3 wins

Morocco: 6 wins

Draws: 2 (both 0-0, AFCON 1984 qualifiers)

Nigeria vs Host Nations at AFCON

Matches played: 10

Wins: 3

Draws: 3

Losses: 4

Wins over hosts:

Senegal (1992 group stage)

Mali (2002 third-place match)

Côte d’Ivoire (2023 group stage)

Losses to hosts:

Algeria (1990 group stage and final)

Ghana (2008 quarter-finals)

Côte d’Ivoire (2023 final)

Nigeria in Knockout Matches vs Hosts

Matches: 5

Wins: 1

Losses: 4

Penalty defeat: Tunisia (2004 semi-finals)

This semi-final is Nigeria’s third direct knockout match against a host nation.

Nigeria – Key Statistics

Defeated Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals

Scored at least two goals in all five matches

14 goals scored, their highest tally at a single AFCON

First team since Cameroon in 2021 to reach 14 goals

Scored in their last 12 AFCON matches

Won five consecutive AFCON matches for the first time

Record-extending 16th AFCON semi-final appearance

Semi-final record: P15 W8 L7

A win would send Nigeria into a ninth AFCON final

Victor Osimhen:

4 goals at AFCON 2025

Directly involved in 10 AFCON goals (5 goals, 5 assists)

Nigeria unbeaten in matches where he scores or assists

3 knockout goals at the current edition

Morocco – Key Statistics

Beat Cameroon 1-0 in the quarter-finals

Reached the AFCON semi-finals for the fifth time

First semi-final appearance since 2004

Second time reaching the semi-finals as hosts

Only one semi-final win in previous appearances

All previous semi-finals decided in open play

Four clean sheets at AFCON 2025, their most ever

Key players:

Yassine Bounou: first Moroccan goalkeeper with four AFCON clean sheets

Brahim Díaz: 5 goals, one short of Ahmed Faras’ AFCON scoring record

Morocco have scored five set-piece goals, the most at the tournament

What’s at Stake

Nigeria are chasing a fourth AFCON title and a first-ever run of consecutive finals

Morocco are seeking a first AFCON final in over 21 years and their first title since 1976

With Nigeria’s attacking firepower up against Morocco’s defensive discipline and home support, the Rabat semi-final promises a defining contest at AFCON 2025.

January 13, 2026
Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has suggested a possible change in Nigeria’s approach as his side prepares to face hosts Morocco in tomorrow’s highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations encounter.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chelle admitted his players are showing signs of fatigue after a demanding run in the tournament, prompting him to consider a more cautious game plan against the Atlas Lions.

“I’ve noticed that my group is tired; it might be time for me to adjust my approach,” Chelle said. “We might perhaps leave the ball to Morocco and wait for them. We saw that they have difficulties when they play under pressure.”

Read Also: Chelle stakes winning streak against Atlas Lions

The Franco-Malian tactician revealed that Nigeria could adopt a compact strategy early in the game before imposing themselves later on.

“We’ll start that way, I think. We’ll hold on in the first half and try to play our game in the second half,” he added.

January 13, 2026
AFCON 2025: Nigerians react after Ghana referee appointed for Nigeria, Morocco semi-final clash

The appointment of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea to officiate the AFCON 2025 semi-final between Nigeria and host Morocco has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians on social media.

CAF, on Tuesday, announced the officiating team for the Nigeria vs Morocco semi-final match, scheduled for January 14, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.

Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea will lead the team, assisted by Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela (South Africa), Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho), and Arsenio Chadreque Maringule (Mozambique) as Assistant Referees 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda) serves as Fourth Official.

While some consider it a fair choice, others question the optics given past controversies.

Read Also: Oliseh: Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 form is best in 20 years

Some Nigerians expressed skepticism on social media, with @MPKwarteng_ saying, “He’s a good choice, looking at his officiating of the last AFCON final, even though I personally do not like it for the optics. He should just offer himself up for the good of the game and the aftermath of it, which promises to be the memory of his officiating prowess.”

Others expressed concerns over CAF’s intentions, like @xKingMikasa, who tweeted, “Nigeria’s closest rivals are Ghana and South Africa. CAF definitely knows what they’re doing.”

However, not all reactions were negative. @ayoBDB joked about regional rivalries, saying, “No way Morocco thinks our internet beef with Ghana is real? They don’t know we’re actually siblings who are just playing on the internet.”

January 13, 2026
Oliseh: Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 form is best in 20 years

Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has heaped praise on the Nigerian national team, declaring their recent performances at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 as the best he’s witnessed in 20 years.

In a recent interview circulating on X, Oliseh, a former captain and coach, said he was particularly impressed with the team’s displays against Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria, displaying their tactical dominance and ability to pressure opponents.

He said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next games. People were shouting the Tunisia game; for me, the Tunisia game was not really exceptional. The Tanzania game, for me, was not exceptional. I made my opinions clear. It’s no secret anymore.

“But the way these Super Eagles have played the last three games is the best I have seen Super Eagles play in 20 years. In 20 years, since 2006,” he declared. “You can say Sunday said this”.

Oliseh provided a breakdown of the tactical dominance displayed by the team under the current management.

“Ask anybody what he saw as a football analyst to watch our team, and they will tell you Nigeria now forces the opposition to play defensive non-stop”, he added.

Read Also: AFCON 2025: Oliseh lauds Osimhen on captainship against Uganda

He lauded the midfield trio of Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi, saying they are “hitting everything up in the midfield” and that Iwobi is “running the show like an orchestra”.

“Nigeria, they now put pressure on you from the defence, from the midfield, and Onyeka and Ndiidi are hitting everything up in the midfield. And look, Iwobi is just running the show like an orchestra,” he added, describing his enjoyment while watching.

“Commentating on Nigeria is the most difficult thing to do because you want to give all the compliments, but at the same time you’re saying, oh, no, no, no, I have to be neutral”, he added.

The Super Eagles face host Morocco in the semi-finals in Rabat, a match that promises to be a thrilling encounter between two footballing giants.

January 13, 2026
AFCON 2025: Iwobi hails players’ unity as Super Eagles eye final

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has hailed Coach Eric Chelle for fostering a strong team spirit among the Super Eagles, which has propelled them to the AFCON semi-finals.

Iwobi, at a packed press conference in the Moroccan capital, highlighted the sense of brotherhood and family environment as key factors in their success.

The 29-year-old Fulham star stated that the team’s current prime, combined with the unity and chemistry among players, is driving their impressive performance.

“I feel like the difference is the sense of brotherhood, the family environment that we have created for each other.

“Of course, at previous AFCONs, we have done really well. The team was so strong, but at the same time, we were young, and we were learning about each other.

“I feel like right now everybody is entering their prime, everyone is doing well for their clubs, and you can see the joy and the chemistry we have when playing for our country.

“It is not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch, there is a big unity, we are a big family.”

Iwobi praised Chelle for creating this positive atmosphere, saying, “It starts from the coach; he has brought that brotherhood.”

The Super Eagles are set to face Morocco in the semi-finals, aiming to build on their prolific form and reach the final.

January 13, 2026
AFCON 2025: Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea to officiate Nigeria–Morocco semi-final clash

Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has been assigned to officiate the anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday night at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.

The appointment is proof of Laryea’s experience and consistency at the highest level of African football.

With a reputation for composure and sharp decision-making, Laryea has been one of the standout referees at the ongoing tournament.

He recently served as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during Morocco’s tense quarter-final victory over Cameroon and took charge as centre referee in the group-stage encounter between Algeria and Burkina Faso.

The semi-final match promises to be fiercely contested, with Morocco seeking to capitalise on home advantage and Nigeria aiming to assert their pedigree to secure a spot in the final.

January 13, 2026
FULL LIST:13 VAR errors recorded in EPL so far in 2025/26 season

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) mistakes increased during the first half of the Premier League campaign, according to figures from the league’s independent Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel analysed by BBC Sport.

The panel logged 13 VAR errors across the opening half of the season, marking a 30 per cent rise from the 10 recorded at the same stage last term. Despite the increase, the number remains lower than previous seasons, with 20 errors at this point in 2023–24 and 23 in 2022–23.

Of the 13 mistakes this season, 11 were classified as missed interventions, where VAR failed to recommend an on-field review despite an incorrect decision by the referee. This represents a notable jump from seven missed interventions last season. Incorrect interventions, where VAR wrongly became involved, dropped slightly from three to two.

The overall number of VAR overturns has also fallen, declining from 57 last season to 47, a 17.5 per cent reduction, reflecting the Premier League’s continued insistence on the “clear and obvious” standard for intervention.

In addition, the KMI Panel highlighted 15 refereeing errors on the pitch that did not reach the threshold for VAR involvement, up from 12 at the same stage last season.

The KMI Panel, established by Premier League clubs in 2022, meets weekly to review key match incidents such as goals, penalties and red cards. It is made up of five members, including three former players or coaches, alongside representatives from the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials. The panel assesses the referee’s original decision first before evaluating VAR’s role, acknowledging cases where VAR may be correct not to intervene due to the high threshold.

Read Also: EPL: Arsenal go six points clear after goalless draw with Liverpool

The 13 VAR errors this season occurred in several high-profile fixtures and involved missed red cards, penalties and disciplinary decisions.

Full list of VAR errors this season:

Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Marcos Senesi avoided a red card for handball that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Chelsea vs Fulham – Fulham’s Josh King had a legitimate goal incorrectly disallowed following VAR intervention.

Wolves vs Everton – Wolves were denied a penalty after a careless challenge on Hugo Bueno.

Brentford vs Manchester United – Nathan Collins escaped a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Chelsea vs Brighton – Malo Gusto went unpunished for a high boot to Yankuba Minteh’s head.

Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth – Marcos Senesi again avoided a red card for a DOGSO offence.

Brentford vs Newcastle – Dango Ouattara was wrongly booked for simulation instead of being awarded a penalty.

Bournemouth vs West Ham – Max Kilman should have been sent off for deliberate handball.

Newcastle vs Manchester City – No penalty was awarded after Phil Foden was fouled inside the box.

Wolves vs Manchester United – Emmanuel Agbadou’s handball, which blocked a shot, was not sanctioned.

Everton vs Arsenal – Everton were denied a late penalty following a foul by William Saliba.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth – Malo Gusto escaped punishment for another handball offence.

Brentford vs Tottenham – Cristian Romero avoided a red card after bringing down Igor Thiago when through on goal.

January 13, 2026
Joshua vs Jake Paul bout tops 2025 boxing earnings with $267m purse

Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster showdown with Jake Paul in Miami emerged as the highest-earning boxing fight of 2025, generating a combined purse of $267m.

The December contest at the Hard Rock Stadium ended in emphatic fashion, with the British heavyweight stopping the YouTube star-turned-boxer in the sixth round. Despite its massive financial success and global attention, the bout ranked second overall in impact behind the Terence Crawford versus Canelo Alvarez super-fight, based on a detailed assessment by betting company Betsson.

Crawford’s September clash with Alvarez topped the list with a final score of 94 points, driven by 1.5 million online searches and a crowd of 70,400, although its purse stood at $200m. Joshua’s fight with Paul followed closely, pulling in two million searches and an attendance of 19,600 to earn 90 points and second place.

Betsson’s rankings were determined using a combination of online searches, live attendance, total purse and an overall impact score to identify the year’s most significant boxing events.

Read Also: ‘Mourning’ Joshua undecided about boxing future

Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch against Daniel Dubois finished third with 76 points, producing 135,000 searches, the highest attendance of the year at 90,000, and a $200m purse. Chris Eubank Jr’s long-anticipated bout with Conor Benn placed fourth with 38 points, while Katie Taylor’s trilogy fight against Amanda Serrano and Manny Pacquiao’s contest with Mario Barrios completed the top six, each recording 10 points.

“Search volume, attendance and purse data were collected from Google Keyword Planner, the World Boxing Association website and major sports publications,” the report read in part.

“These metrics were weighted and indexed to rank the year’s biggest fights from largest to smallest. Where figures were not publicly available, values may be estimates and may not reflect real life.”

Joshua’s successful return to the ring came after his September 2024 defeat to Dubois at Wembley Stadium. The 36-year-old’s victory over Paul was his first since reclaiming momentum in his career.

However, the former two-time world heavyweight champion was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria on December 29, just 10 days after the Miami fight, which claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

January 13, 2026
BREAKING: Michael Carrick appointed Manchester United interim manager

Michael Carrick has been named Manchester United’s new caretaker manager until the end of the season, with the club set to make an official announcement shortly.

Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development, revealing that an agreement had been in place since yesterday and has now been fully concluded, including arrangements for Carrick’s backroom staff.

Read Also: FULL LIST: Six worst Manchester United managers in history

“Michael Carrick signs in as new Manchester United caretaker manager until the end of the season. Verbal agreement since yesterday, now sorted in all details + backroom staff also. #MUFC official announcement to follow next,” Romano wrote.

Carrick, a former United midfielder and coach, returns to the dugout at Old Trafford at a crucial moment as the club looks to stabilise its campaign and push for a strong finish to the season.

January 13, 2026
Osimhen inches closer to Yekini’s goal scoring record

Iwobi eyes century of caps

Two goals against the Atlas Lions on Wednesday will put Victor James Osimhen at par with Nigeria’s revered ‘Goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini in the number of goals scored for the Nigeria national team at senior level.

The Galatasaray of Turkey forward has 35 goals in 51 matches, while ‘Goalsfather’ netted 37 times in his 58 matches for country.

Read Also: Super Eagles’ pay dispute : Height of peculiar mess in NFF

At just 27 years of age and at the peak of his powers, Osimhen is easily tipped to score many more goals for Nigeria, effectively breaking the record set by the gangling poacher of blessed memory. As at the time Yekini passed on 4^th  May 2012, Osimhen’s name was yet to come into reckoning at international level.

He rang his bell to the universal audience in 2015, when he emerged top scorer (with 10 goals) and second most valuable player of the FIFA U17 World Cup tournament that Nigeria won in Chile that year.

History beckons on the former SSC Napoli forward on Wednesday night, as the 90 minutes battle, for which he will have Alex Iwobi, Akor Adams and Ademola Lookman providing valuable support, offer him the opportunity to equal the great man’s tally.

Iwobi, who has been extraordinary at this AFCON, is set to win his 96^th  cap for country, taking him closer to the century-mark of former captain Joseph Yobo, and former goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who garnered 101. Ahmed Musa remains the man-with-the-record at 111 caps.

January 13, 2026