Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has credited the Super Eagles’ strict and focused training sessions in Morocco as the main reason for their strong performance at the on-going 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles won all group stage matches against Tanzania (2-1), Tunisia (3-2), and Uganda (3-1). They continued their dominant form by beating Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16 and Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Marrakech.
Chelle emphasized his mind-set of treating each game as a final, focusing entirely on winning and moving forward match by match. Although he acknowledged the spotlight is on him as coach, he insists the players are the ones performing on the pitch, and he supports them by working closely with them off the pitch.
On Saturday , Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams grabbed second-half goals as the Super Eagles powered to a deserved 2-0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals and set up a dream fixture with hosts Morocco for Wednesday’s semi-finals.
“Now, everybody is curious about Chelle but I’m not on the pitch but the players,” Chelle continued. “But I try to do my job with my own feelings. I feel good . I work with my players; spends my time with them.
Chelle recently celebrated his one year anniversary as Nigeria’s head coach, having managed 16 matches so far, and is proud of the progress made.
“ I’m very proud of my players,” he said.“ We have been working since last January but since then, we were having one or two days training sessions but here ( at the AFCON), we have had more training sessions to work and personally, I’m happy because with my vision for this team, I have some results.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles have returned to Fez for recovery and light training ahead of their semi-final clash against Morocco. There are no injury concerns except Wilfred Ndidi, who will miss the semi-final due to suspension from two yellow cards.
Victor Osimhen has praised Rashid Yekini, saying the late striker is still Nigeria’s greatest of all time, even as he continues to make history with the Super Eagles.
The Galatasaray forward helped Nigeria beat Algeria 2–0 in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations at the Marrakech Stadium, scoring one goal and providing an assist.
Osimhen’s performance took him closer to Yekini’s long-standing goal record for the three-time African champions, but he played down talk of chasing the record.
Speaking to the media after receiving the Man of the Match award, he stated that breaking records would not diminish Yekini’s legacy as Nigeria’s greatest striker of all time.
“No, not at all,” he said when asked if chasing records puts pressure on him. “I’ve said it countless times, whether I equal or surpass the record doesn’t matter. The late Yekini will always be the best striker the Super Eagles have ever had.
“I’ve also been inspired by players like Odion Ighalo to give my best for the team. That doesn’t take anything away from Yekini’s legacy.
“I’m just doing my best, and it’s amazing to be part of the Super Eagles’ history. My goal is also to win something important for my country, and with the support of my teammates, I’m on the right path.”
Despite his heroics against the North Africans, the former African Player of the Year insists the credit belongs to the whole team, acknowledging his teammates’ key contributions to the victory.
“First and foremost, I want to congratulate the whole team for their performance against a strong Algerian side with quality players,” he continued. “I just try to do my job, fight for the team, score goals, and provide assists and I’m happy both worked out for me on (Saturday).
“But I don’t want to take the credit alone; the entire team deserves the praise. So, I congratulate everyone for the win.”
Unlike the 2023 AFCON, where he scored just once as the Super Eagles finished as runners-up, Osimhen has already netted four goals in five matches this tournament.
When asked what he has done differently this time, he added: “As a player, I think I have grown a lot because I always reflect on the mistakes I’ve made and look for ways to improve.
“Now, I feel much more confident in the way I play, thanks to the support of my teammates. For me, it’s not just about goals or assists; it’s about winning something with this squad.
“I believe we’re on the right path, but it won’t be easy. From the last AFCON to this one, I’ve improved a lot both as a player and as a person.”
Nigeria will take on Morocco in their semi-final clash on Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. There, Osimhen will be looking to add to his goal tally as he continues his push for the Golden Boot.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui hailed a “historic” achievement in seeing his side reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, but warned that the hosts have not yet achieved anything at the tournament.
“We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet,” Regragui insisted after the Atlas Lions beat Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-final in Rabat thanks to goals either side of half-time from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari.
Morocco, World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, set the tone with a superb first-half performance at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and Cameroon never really looked like recovering after Diaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute.
“It was our best first-half performance I think since the World Cup, with lots of pressing and intensity,” Regragui said.
“I think we deserved the win even though things evened out a bit in the second half.”
Morocco are through to the semi-finals of a Cup of Nations for the first time since 2004, when they lost the final to Tunisia with Regragui in the team.
“It is historic. Moroccans have not seen their team in the semi-finals of an AFCON for 22 years,” the coach said. “They deserve it but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic.”
Meanwhile the coach hailed Diaz, with the Real Madrid winger now on five goals in five games at the tournament.
“He is the X factor of my team. He has been amazing, scoring in every game. Tonight he sent a message to the rest of the side with the way he ran and fought.”
Five-time champions Cameroon go home but their coach David Pagou – only appointed in the run-up to the competition – expressed pride in his players.
“We are satisfied with the boys because they have given a lot of emotions to the Cameroonian people and that was the aim,” he said. “We wanted to go as far as possible but this is a team that is progressing and there are millions of Cameroonians who can be pleased.
“As a coach I will take away a lot of good things from this campaign.”
President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has commended Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, for his generous financial pledge to the Super Eagles ahead of their AFCON 2025 semi-final clash against Morocco.
Dr. Ladipo in a statement , described the gesture as timely and motivational, expressing confidence that it would spur the team to victory and ultimately help them lift the trophy.
“I want to, on behalf of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, thank Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu for identifying with the Super Eagles,” he said.
Rabiu had earlier announced a $500,000 bonus should they win the semi-final, with an additional $50,000 for every goal scored. He further pledged $1 million, plus $100,000 per goal, should Nigeria go on to win the final.
Congratulating the team on their 2-0 victory over Algeria, Rabiu praised the players for lifting national morale and urged them to keep making Nigerians proud.
Dr. Oladipo also appealed to Rabiu and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the Football Supporters Club financially, noting that members had travelled to Morocco at personal expense to cheer the team.
“As patriotic Nigerians, they deserve financial support to continue backing the team without hindrance,” he stressed.
He concluded by praying for continued blessings on the businesses of the BUA Group chairman.
The roads leading to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO Field), Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos, are usually quiet.
But on Saturday, they came alive long before kick-off as fans made their way to Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light, staged alongside the Super Eagles’ AFCON quarter-final clash against Algeria.
The early build-up set the tone. Traffic thickened, music filled the air and supporters arrived in numbers, drawn by a match-day experience that promised more than football. From the entrance, it was clear Goldberg was in charge of the atmosphere.
Inside the PAKO Field, the venue had taken on a carnival look, fully dressed in Goldberg’s signature gold colours.
Branded zones dotted the grounds, from the photo booth to the dressing room and the popular Shoot for Gold stand, where fans tested their shooting accuracy and earned branded items.
The setting signalled a night designed for shared moments. The programme opened on a note of national pride as Yinka Davies, supported by the Ayo Bankole Orchestra, delivered a stirring rendition of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”. The anthem flowed into familiar supporters’ songs and popular tunes, easing fans into the evening and reinforcing the emotional bond between football and culture.
As the countdown to kick-off continued, 100 drummers led by Kaakaki took over the space. Their deep, steady beats rolled through the venue, joined by the energetic display of the Dance Na the Main Thing group. Ball jugglers and freestyle performers added colour, keeping fans engaged as excitement built.
Tolu Daniels anchored the experience as host, guiding the flow of activities and drawing fans closer together. His chant of “Up Super Eagles… Go for Gold” quickly spread through the crowd, echoing the belief that Nigeria’s journey at AFCON was far from over.
Fan engagement remained central throughout. Predict and Win games delivered prizes and laughter, while DJ Flame’s early set sustained the relaxed but lively mood.
A short screening of Nigeria’s famous AFCON 1994 3-0 victory over Gabon helped stir memories of past success and raised expectations ahead of the match.
When the game began, the Super Eagles showed promise from the opening whistle, drawing steady encouragement from the stands. By half-time, with the score still level, Goldberg kept the energy alive. Hypeman Advantage and DJ Flame lifted spirits, ensuring belief did not fade.
That belief proved timely. In the second half, Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock, triggering a wave of celebration across the PAKO Field. Adams Akor followed with Nigeria’s second goal, sealing a 2–0 win over Algeria and confirming the Super Eagles’ place in the AFCON semi-final.
As the final whistle sounded, the Festival of Drums and Lights moved into full celebration mode. Zlatan Ibile took the stage with his hit song Overthinking, fire dancers lit up the night and DJ KhoDeD kept the crowd moving. Mavo’s grand entrance pushed the energy higher, before Segun Johnson closed the live performances. DJs then took over, playing hit after hit as fans danced late into the night, many with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer in hand.
Speaking on the experience, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Laolu Babalola, said the night reflected the essence of the brand’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.
“This is how Nigerians experience football,” he said. “It’s not just about the match. It’s about the rhythm, the togetherness and the belief. Our Beat, Our Gold is about creating spaces where fans can feel that connection, especially at moments like this.”
Also commenting, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, Kunle Aroyehun, described the festival as a celebration of shared identity.
“Football has a special place in Nigeria,” he said. “What we saw here shows how culture and football come together to unite people, and how Goldberg continues to support those moments.”
The Festival of Drums and Lights form part of Goldberg’s wider Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles through AFCON 2025 with viewing centres and fan activations across Lagos and beyond.
As one of the longest-standing sponsors of Nigerian football, the brand continues to place fans at the centre of the Super Eagles’ journey.
With Nigeria now through to the semi-final and still chasing a fourth AFCON title, Goldberg says it will keep standing with the team and the fans, celebrating every step of the way.
Drum performers entertaining the fans and consumers before the Super Eagles’ win against Algeria.
Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi has taken positives from the Super Eagles’ 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, played at the Grande Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.
Ajayi once again proved his importance at the heart of Nigeria’s defence, delivering key interceptions and crucial blocks to help the Super Eagles secure another clean sheet in the tournament.
Reflecting on the performance, the defensive marshal expressed confidence in the team’s steady improvement as attention turns to the semi-final clash against hosts Morocco.
“We’re not taking the game lightly. I feel like we’ve improved gradually with every small game,” Ajayi said. “We’ll be looking to take a massive step forward in the next game.”
The West Bromwich Albion defender highlighted defensive solidity as a major source of pride for the team, noting that back-to-back clean sheets have boosted belief within the squad.
“Yeah, the defence, that’s what we pride ourselves on. It’s not easy, so we’re glad to get two in a row now. There are still things we can be better on and be more dominant.”
Ajayi added that victories like the one against Algeria send a strong message to opponents and reinforce the Super Eagles’ confidence as they approach the business end of the tournament.
“It brings confidence. We know we’re okay for the world, but a win like this is a real statement. It brings us to the point where we have belief in ourselves,” he concluded.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has once again underlined the growing dominance of African coaches, with the semi-final lineup guaranteeing that, for the fourth consecutive edition, an African tactician will lead his team to continental glory.
This remarkable trend follows Djamel Belmadi’s triumph with Algeria in 2019, Aliou Cissé’s historic title with Senegal in 2021, and Émerse Faé’s success with Côte d’Ivoire in 2023. AFCON 2025 now promises to extend that proud legacy.
The last four teams are all guided by African managers: Walid Regragui with hosts Morocco, Hossam Hassan of Egypt, Pape Thiaw of Senegal, and Eric Chelle, the Malian tactician leading Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
It marks the first time in AFCON history that all semi-finalists are coached by Africans. Statistics from the tournament further highlight the impact of local expertise.
Out of the 24 teams that participated at AFCON 2025, 15 were led by African coaches. Eleven of those progressed beyond the group stage, while African-led teams have accounted for an impressive 75 percent of all victories recorded so far.
Beyond collective success, individual legacies are also at stake. Only two African legends — Mahmoud El-Gohary and Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi — have achieved the rare feat of winning the AFCON both as players and as coaches.
Egypt legend Hossam Hassan now stands on the brink of joining that exclusive club if he can guide the Pharaohs to glory in 2025. However, his path is far from straightforward, with a daunting semi-final clash against Senegal scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Later the same day, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face tournament hosts Morocco in Rabat, as African coaches continue to shape the narrative and destiny of the continent’s biggest football competition.
Former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Sani Toro, has expressed strong confidence that the Super Eagles will defeat host nation Morocco and advance to the final of AFCON 2025.
Toro spoke after Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria, praising the quality, discipline, and fighting spirit of Eric Chelle’s side.
“The victory did not come to me as a surprise,” Toro said. “This team has quality and belief. I strongly believe they will come out victorious against Morocco.”
While acknowledging the strength of the Atlas Lions, Toro insisted that Nigeria possesses superior quality and momentum, adding that the team is on course to lift the AFCON trophy for the fourth time.
“The Super Eagles are unstoppable, and I look forward to seeing them in the final,” he concluded.
Nigeria international midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has emerged as a potential transfer target for English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, with reports indicating that the club has made an enquiry for the Lazio midfielder.
The 2001-born player, currently on international duty with Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, continues to attract growing interest despite his absence from club football during the tournament.
Lazio are understood to be in the process of reshaping their squad following recent departures, including Valentín Castellanos to West Ham United and Matteo Guendouzi to Fenerbahce. Dele-Bashiru is reportedly among the players who could follow as the Biancocelesti look to rebalance their team.
The Serie A club is believed to value the Nigerian midfielder at around €15 million plus performance-related bonuses, a figure that would enable Lazio to reinvest quickly as head coach Maurizio Sarri fine-tunes his squad.
Initial contacts between the parties have already taken place, although Nottingham Forest are yet to formalise their interest with an official bid. Financial Fair Play considerations may influence the structure of any potential deal.
As a result, Forest could explore alternatives such as a loan move with an option or obligation to buy, rather than committing to an outright purchase. For now, Dele-Bashiru’s future remains open, with his AFCON performances likely to further enhance his profile.
There is every reason for Morocco’s Atlas Lions to enter into panic mode as they countenance confrontation with the very efficient Nigeria machine in the last-four of the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals
Three-time champions Nigeria have done enough to convince those who have seen them play here that they are not in the North African Kingdom for a picnic. They have shown class, character and charisma, and more than half of their 16 goals in the five matches they have played at the championship have ‘team’ written all over them.
From four-goal-and-two-assists Victor Osimhen (35 goals in 51 matches – only two short of the Nigeria international goals-record), to three-goal-and-five-assists Ademola Lookman, to two-goal-and-one-assist Akor Adams, to two-goal Raphael Onyedika, to two-assists Samuel Chukwueze, to line-breaking passmaster Alex Iwobi (36 in the knockout phase so far), and a diligent rearguard, the Super Eagles have shown cold brutality and quiet authority in 450 minutes of exhilarating football.
Nigeria’s game has been awe-inspiring. The defence has been very well-knitted, with Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi even joining attacks, and against Algeria, wing-back Bright Osayi-Samuel was imperious as he defended with as much confidence as he did going forward. Centreback Semi Ajayi scored Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament, against Tanzania.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi will miss Wednesday’s clash as a result of suspension, but Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka have the steel and granite to keep things tight in the middle as Iwobi breaks the line with visionary passes.
From all indications, Wednesday’s game inside the 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will turn out to be the sternest test that the Atlas Lions have faced since their semi-final accomplishment at the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals, and comes against a team that has every reason to win this year’s AFCON, including failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Both teams possess the fury and fire to make it a memorable night for world football’s devotees. Morocco have Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, as well as three-goal Ayoub El Kaabi, captain Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Ismael Saibari and Azzedine Ounahi.
Nigeria have scored 158 goals in their 109 matches in AFCON history, and have lost only four of their last 23 matches in the competition, including last term’s Final against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
However, the Super Eagles have not faced North African opposition consecutively in the knockout stages of the AFCON since defeating Morocco, and subsequently Algeria, to claim their first title on home soil 46 years ago.The Atlas Lions got the better of the Eagles on their way to lifting their only AFCON title in Ethiopia 50 years ago. Backhanded compliments have been exchanged in the same competition this millennium with Nigeria winning 2-0 in Lagos in 2000 and Morocco winning 1-0 in Tunisia in 2004.
Morocco vs: Nigeria: MEMORABLE ENCOUNTERS
Morocco Vs Nigeria (Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games Qualifier: Dakar):
After both teams were stalemated in two legs of the qualifying series (Nigeria won 3-0 in Lagos and Morocco won 4-1 in Casablanca), world football-governing body, FIFA, ruled that there had to be a one-leg playoff to determine the winner. It was the period before the away-goal-counts-double principle.
Asuquo Ekpe, with a brace, and ‘wonderboy’ Paul Hamilton accounted for the defeat of Morocco in Lagos. Hamilton scored Nigeria’s only goal in the return leg in Casablanca. However, the Atlas Lions edged the tie in Dakar and took the ticket.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (1976 Africa Cup of Nations: Addis Ababa):
A young, talented, driven and agile Nigeria team had stunned Cup holders Zaire (now DR Congo) 4-2 in their first match at the continental finals in Ethiopia. However, they fell 1-3 to the Atlas Lions in their third game, after a 1-0 win over Sudan.
The wins over Zaire and Sudan qualified the Eagles for the final round of a tournament that remains the only one till date to have been played on league basis. In that final round, they came up against Morocco again. Baba Otu Mohammed scored just before the hour but Ahmed Faras and Redouane El Guezzar won it for Morocco with late goals. Morocco emerged champions while the Eagles, who defeated Egypt 3-2 in their final game, took bronze.
Nigeria Vs Morocco (1976 Olympics Qualifying Match: Lagos):
Only three weeks after the disappointment of Addis Ababa, the opportunity presented itself for the Eagles to exact their revenge on the Atlas Lions. In a Montreal Olympics qualifying match at the National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria swept to a commanding 3-1 win thanks to goals by Thompson Usiyen (a brace) and Kelechi ‘Caterpillar’ Emeteole.
Nigeria lost the return by a lone goal, and qualified for Montreal. However, the Government of Nigeria led an African boycott of the Games as a result of host nation Canada’s dalliance with New Zealand, which had sporting ties with apartheid South Africa.
Nigeria Vs Morocco (1980 AFCON semi final: Lagos):
The Green Eagles were flying high in the first AFCON to be hosted by Nigeria, and the Atlas Lions could not stop them, as Felix Owolabi lashed in the only goal early in the semi final encounter at the National Stadium, Lagos to set the stage for a Nigeria, Algeria Final, which the Eagles won to claim their first AFCON title.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 AFCON qualifying match: Rabat):
After a scoreless draw in Benin City, Nigeria and Morocco again ended it 0-0 in the return in Rabat, necessitating a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties and qualified for Cote d’Ivoire 1984.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 Olympics Qualifying Match: Casablanca):
Both teams had again ended the first leg in Lagos 0-0, and the same result was returned in Casablanca in the race to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Morocco won 4-3 and qualified to the next round.
Nigeria Vs Morocco (2000 Africa Cup of Nations: Lagos):
Goals by Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa gave Nigeria victory and qualification to the quarter-finals of the AFCON finals they co-hosted with Ghana, setting up a clash with the Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (2014 African Nations Championship: Cape Town):
Morocco took the game by the scruff from the first blast of the whistle and sped to a 3-0 lead after 45 minutes at the Cape Town Stadium.
However, Nigeria, coached by Stephen Keshi (of blessed memory) returned from recess a different proposition, and drew level before winning in extra time to qualify for the semi finals.
