The Nigeria Football Federation has applauded the run of the Super Eagles to the semi-finals of the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, stating that the team’s campaign had been underpinned by sheer commitment, sense of purpose, passion, discipline, patriotic fervour and resilience.
A tense and turgid second semi-final of the 35th AFCON ended scoreless after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, with the tie having to be settled by a penalty shootout that Morocco 4-2 at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday night.
President of NFF Ibrahim Musa Gusau has called on the squad to put behind Wednesday’s narrow defeat and go all out for the bronze when they encounter the Pharaohs of Egypt in Casablanca tomorrow.
“It is important to retain focus by not continuing to dwell on what happened in the semi-final match. As far as we are concerned, the team coped well in the circumstances, navigating a number of challenges and playing their game. Penalty shootouts remain lotteries in the game and it could have gone either way. Two years ago, they won their semi-final match of the AFCON after a penalty shootout. This time, it was not meant to be.
“The NFF is proud of the output of the team at this championship. They gave their best and still remain the team to have scored the most goals here. We will talk to them to pick up their morale and go for the bronze so that they will have something from a tournament in which they have done so well.”
On his part, billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, (Chairman of BUA Group), extolled the spirit and sense of purpose of the team, and insisted that despite the loss, he would go ahead and fulfil his pledge of $500,000 to the players and officials.
“You fought with your hearts, gave your all, and showed true courage and determination on the pitch. Though it wasn’t meant to be this time, you have made every Nigerian proud. Sometimes, even our best efforts don’t bring the outcome we hope for, but the spirit, passion, and unity you displayed are what truly matters. You left everything on the field, and that is worthy of celebration.
“As a token of appreciation for your remarkable journey and effort, I am still going ahead to fulfil my pledge of $500,000. This is in recognition of your hard work, dedication, and the joy you have brought to our nation. Keep your heads high, Super Eagles – the experience, lessons and spirit will fuel even greater success next time. Nigeria will always be proud of you, and we believe in your future victories.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles left Morocco’s administrative capital, Rabat for Casablanca (venue of their bronze-medal match with Egypt) yesterday. The team has been scheduled to have a training session in Casablanca on Thursday evening, which will be open to the media. Friday’s training session will be the official training, with media representatives allowed access for the opening 15 minutes.
The only time Nigeria and Morocco senior national teams have clashed in Morocco’s administrative capital, Rabat, Nigeria dug their feet into the ground to earn a scoreless draw, win the ensuing penalty shootout and secure qualification to the 14th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire.
Date was Saturday, 28th August 1983. Two weeks earlier, in Benin City, both teams had ended the first leg match 0-0. The return leg took place in Rabat, with Coach Adegboye Onigbinde making a number of changes to the squad that featured in Benin City.
Goalkeeper Peter Rufai came in for Wilfred Agbonavbare, and Kingsley Paul, Amos Edoseghe, Anthony Edward, Wole Odegbami and Sunday Daniel came in for Charles Osuji, Henry Nwosu, Rafiu Yusuf, Dehinde Akinlotan and Tarila Okorowanta.
Coach José ‘Mehdi’ Faria, the Brazilian minder of the Atlas Lions, stuck to his regular group, including goalkeeper Badou Ezzaki, Mustapha El Haddaoui, Abdelaziz Bouderbala, Mohamed Timoumi, Abdelmajid Lamriss, Mustapha El Biyaz, Noureddine Bouyahyaoui and Khaled Labied. A closely-fought battle ended 0-0, necessitating a penalty shootout.
Nigeria won 4-3 to qualify for the AFCON finals in Cote d’Ivoire, where she emerged runner-up.
As the Super Eagles file out to the turf of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium tomorrow , they will remember they had never lost a match to the Lions in Rabat.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Super Eagles, Atlas Lions in history
16 Nov 1963: Nigeria 3-0 Morocco (Olympic Gamesq: Lagos)
08 Mar 1964: Morocco 4-1 Nigeria (Olympic Gamesq: Casablanca)
26 Mar 1964: Morocco 2-1 Nigeria (Olympic Gamesq: Dakar)
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.
Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon will compete in their final Group F assignment at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this week, with the game set to commence at Stade de Marrakech tonight.
As it stands, Cote d’Ivoire occupy top spot in Group F following their 1-1 draw with Cameroon during matchday two.
Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon share an identical record of four points after two matches played, while a win against Gabon would secure their ticket into the next phase of the showpiece.
Gabon on the other hand, have already been eliminated from the AFCON following their 3-2 defeat against Mozambique at Stade Adrar on Sunday. The Panthers are fourth in Group F, with two losses from their opening set of fixtures.
The Elephants are in the running to claim their fourth AFCON title, while they remain one of the favourites this year as the reigning kings of African football.
Reflecting on Cote d’Ivoire’s campaign following their draw with Cameroon, the Elephants coach Emerse Faé believes that his side needs to be more efficient in seeing out games.
“It’s for matches like these that we love the CAN—a hard-fought contest. Both teams brought intensity, created chances, and no one shut the game down,” Faé said.
“A fair draw against a compact Cameroon side that challenged us tactically. I’m satisfied with the performance, with the result. My only regret from this match: we lacked a bit of guile after our goal.
“Instead of going after them, we should have slowed the tempo, let the clock run down, forced Cameroon to open up and expose space, and then taken advantage. We conceded their goal too soon.”
Nigeria and Uganda clash this evening in a match tendered on different perspectives for both teams as three-time champions Nigeria conclude their group phase account at the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
The Cranes, eternal difficult jobs for the Super Eagles since their first meeting in an AFCON semi-final duel in Kumasi 47 years ago, need a win to stand any chance of enjoying the cold climate of Morocco beyond Tuesday evening, while the Super Eagles, already qualified for the Round of 16 no matter the tremor anywhere on the park, need a draw simply to assure top-table finish in Group C.
Veteran goal-tender Denis Onyango and team-mates have themselves to blame for being stuck on one point to the final day of the group phase. After the expected manhandling by Tunisia, and falling behind to Tanzania in their second match, Nigeria-descent Uche Ikpeazu rose from the bench to give them an equalizer against the Taifa Stars. The game fell into their hands to pick up the three points, but Allan Okelo blasted the ball away from goal from a penalty kick.
The only route left for them is to put a sword through the Eagles. With the Nigerians intent on sustaining a winning mentality, determined to maintain their great form and put fear into the hearts of other possible contenders for the trophy, that is unlikely to happen.
Nigeria’s prolific goal scorer Victor Osimhen has netted only once in this tournament, but the man who succeeded him as Africa Player of the Year (and who teamed up with him to create a Super Eagles’ terror attack at the last competition in Cote d’Ivoire), Ademola Lookman, has again opted to take Africa’s biggest football championship by storm.
Lookman has netted two goals this term (adding to his three from the 2023 finals), and has made two assists (adding to one from last term). He looks like a man-on-a-mission. His goals have been unstoppable left-footed missiles.
Another big hurdle the Cranes will have to deal with is that Osimhen, now on 32 goals in 48 matches for Nigeria, is committed to presenting himself a special birthday gift, having turned 27 on Monday. Such a man (and being Osimhen in this case) will be difficult to contain.
In addition, Nigeria’s midfield has come into its own, with Wilfred Ndidi playing a true captain’s game in the Eagles’ first two matches, and Alex Iwobi simply magnificent. Frank Onyeka reminded all of his abilities when he starred against the Tunisians, and there are still Raphael Onyedika and Tochukwu Nnadi yet to be tested.
Nigeria is the country with the most appearances in the AFCON knockout rounds in history, having done so here for the 19th time, and the victory over Tunisia was the Eagles’ 35th group-stage win in the history of the competition. Nigeria have lost only one of their last 16 AFCON group-stage games – defeat to Madagascar in Egypt after they already qualified for the Round of 16.
Uganda will look to the history of contests between both nations and be hopeful.
In eight previous encounters, the Cranes have lost only twice, winning four times, with the other two games ending in a draw. Five of the matches have been competitive, and Ugandans cannot forget how their star forward Philip Omondi scored the winner to ensure a 2-1 defeat for Nigeria in the 1978 AFCON semi-finals. Uganda have won two of the three international friendly matches, with the other ending in a draw.
Uganda have progressed beyond the AFCON group stage only twice previously, in 1978 in Ghana and 2019 in Egypt.
Ikpeazu will probably start as Belgian tactician Paul Put throws his aces up from the get-go. There are also James Bogere, who earned the Cranes a second penalty against Tanzania, Okello and Denis Omedi, who scored against Tunisia and assisted the equalizer against Tanzania on Sunday.
Nigeria, now on 149 goals in 106 AFCON matches, will aim for a milestone 150th goal, and more, when the game commences at the Complexe Sportif de Fès at 5pm on Tuesday.
At his pre-match press briefing on Monday, Coach Eric Chelle said: “The competition is not only for the starting 11; everybody deserves a chance to play and show what they can offer the team. Sometimes a player who makes a cameo appearance can change the outcome of games and even win a tournament. For me, I want to present the best team every time.”
Captain Ndidi: “The atmosphere in the team is good. Everyone is excited and confident, but the previous games are in the past. The focus is one the next game.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD: SUPER EAGLES, CRANES IN HISTORY
14 Mar 1978: Uganda 2-1 Nigeria (AFCON semi: Kumasi)
26 Sep 1981: Nigeria 0-1 Uganda (Friendly: Lagos)
29 Aug 1992: Nigeria 2-0 Uganda (AFCONq: Lagos)
17 Jul 1993: Uganda 0-0 Nigeria (AFCONq: Kampala)
24 Mar 2007: Nigeria 1-0 Uganda (AFCONq: Abeokuta)
One of Africa’s most storied and remarkable football rivalries makes another stop tomorrow, this time in the Moroccan city of Fès, as Nigeria and Tunisia clash in a top-of-the-table encounter of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, at the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès.
With three points taken by each team from their opening games, the stage is set for fiery exchanges as Coaches Eric Chelle and Sami Trabelsi, themselves former players, will be determined to push their teams to achieve victory and book an early spot in the tournament’s Round of 16.
There have been a total of 21 matches between both teams, dating back 64 years, with each having won six times, and the remaining nine matches drawn (though some eventually went into penalty shootouts). Of the three that stretched to penalty shootouts, Nigeria won two, including a memorable 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture and an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final duel that flowed back and forth in the Egyptian city of Port Said 19 years ago.
Tunisia won the lottery in the 2004 AFCON that they hosted, edging the Eagles to set up a Final clash with Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
Both teams have staged walkouts against each other, with Nigeria leaving the pitch in an AFCON qualifying match in Tunis in December 1961, after a controversial goal, and Tunisia opting to do the same when Nigeria scored an equalizing goal through Baba Otu Mohammed in an AFCON bronze-medal match in Kumasi in March 1978.
When the Carthage Eagles pipped the Super Eagles 1-0 in the Round of 16 at the AFCON in Cameroon four years ago, it was their first victory over Nigeria in a competitive match since 1985, when they won a 1986 World Cup qualifying match 2-0 in Tunis.
There have been high drama, muscle-flexing, and boardroom blowouts, and Saturday’s encounter will be another game of intensity and power-play as Nigeria seek to establish themselves as one of the favourites for the trophy and Tunisia, who will be going to next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, determined to fight for a second continental title.
Trabelsi, who was in the squad that Khaled Badra led to win Tunisia’s only AFCON title, at home in 2004, has the likes of Captain Ferjani Sassi, Ali Maãloul, Hannibal Mejbri, Dylan Bronn, Ben Ali, Ali Ben Romdhane and Yan Valery who can turn a game on its head within a split second. They showed their deadliness in sweeping aside Uganda in Rabat on Tuesday evening.
For Eric Chelle, the triumvirate of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze at the fore, and the duo of Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi at the rear provide some assurance. With Osimhen still looking for his first goal of the tournament, the Carthage Eagles could be under tremendous pressure from Nigeria’s ace forward who boasts 31 goals in 47 matches.
Midfield lubricator Alexander Iwobi, likely to win his 93rd cap, will be expected to play a key role in Nigeria’s challenge for the three points. Captain Wilfred Ndidi will surely be called upon several times to break up the play of the fast-paced Tunisians.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Super Eagles, Carthage Eagles in history
25 Nov 1961: Nigeria 2-1 Tunisia (AFCONq: Lagos)
10 Dec 1961: Tunisia 2-2 Nigeria (AFCONq: Tunis)*
* Match inconclusive as Nigeria walked off the pitch
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the commencement of the NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign as the Super Eagles return to the continent for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with a renewed commitment to reclaiming the prestigious title for the nation.
Nigeria, three-time winners of Africa’s flagship football championship, arrives in Morocco with a rich history and a firm resolve to restore continental glory. The silver-medal finish at the 2023 edition in Abidjan, though commendable, remains a reminder of unfinished business. Those memories serve not as setbacks, but as motivation for a stronger, more decisive outing.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Eric Sékou Chelle and the unwavering total support of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, the team continues to build a solid structure based on discipline, experience, emerging talent, and collective ambition. The objective is unambiguous: to improve on the last performance and bring the Africa Cup of Nations trophy back to Nigeria.
The NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign serves as a unifying call to Nigerians across all regions and the diaspora. It reinforces the belief that, just as in Nigeria 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013, Nigeria can once again rise to the summit of African football. Each of these victories carries its own legacy, and Morocco 2025 presents another opportunity to inscribe a new chapter in that storied tradition.
The NFF urges supporters to stand firmly behind the Super Eagles throughout the tournament from homes and viewing centres across the country to the stands in Morocco. The passion, encouragement, and presence of Nigerians remain critical to the team’s success.
The journey begins with purpose. The mission is defined. The Super Eagles are fully prepared. Naija… let us do it again.
Head Coach Eric Sékou Chelle has opted for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, and 20 other players to make up Nigeria’s 28-man roster for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations starting in Morocco in 10 days’ time.
The Franco-Malian also picked defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Simon Moses, among others.
There is a return for Cyprus-based goaltender Francis Uzoho, defender Igoh Ogbu and forward Paul Onuachu, while England-based defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed (Israel), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Italy) and Tochukwu Nnadi (Belgium), and Croatia-based forward Salim Fago Lawal will be joining up with the group for the first time.
The Super Eagles will clash with the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly encounter at the Cairo Stadium on Tuesday, 16th December, before flying aboard a chartered flight from Cairo to Fès (their battlefield in Group C) two days later.
The three-time champions take on the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on 23rd December, before further group phase encounters against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (27th December) and Uganda’s Cranes (30th December).
28 SUPER EAGLES FOR MOROCCO 2025
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars,); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC)
Comoros will field a squad made up of foreign-based players when they compete at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Coach Stefano Cusin has unveiled a 26-man squad for the tournament in Morocco including uncapped Amir Zaid and Kari Yannis who both play for clubs in the fourth tier of French football.
The majority of the squad are drawn from the large Comorian diaspora in France.
Comoros, the smallest country in the 24-team field, compete in the opening game against hosts Morocco on December 21 in Rabat and also face Mali and Zambia in the first round.
They are competing at a second Cup of Nations after proving giant killers at the 2021 edition when they knocked Ghana out of the competition and advanced to the round of 16.
Forwards: Ali Aboubacar (Royal Franc Borains), Ahmed Aymeric (Chateauroux), El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (FK Zemun), Myziane Maolida (Al Kholood), Rafiki Saïd (Standard Liege), Faiz Selemani (Qatar SC), Amir Zaid (Istres).
Captain Mbwana Samatta has been recalled to Tanzania’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for this month’s tournament in Morocco.
The striker, who turns 33 later this month, won the last of his 75 caps for Tanzania a year ago but returns in a 28-man selection, which the Tanzania Football Federation announced on social media.
Samatta, who previously played at Aston Villa, is one of eight foreign-based players in the squad, which also includes English-born Haji Mnoga from League Two outfit Salford City and Tarryn Allarakhia, who plays at English minor-league side Rochdale.
All three were in Tanzania’s squad at the last finals in Cote d’Ivoire where they drew two games and lost one and finished bottom of their group.
New coach Miguel Gamondi, appointed last month, has dropped experienced midfielder Mudathir Yahya but included the uncapped Kelvin Nashon.
Tanzania will compete in Group C at the tournament and will take on Nigeria in their opening game on December 23. They will also meet neighbours Uganda and Tunisia in the group.
