Eric Chelle, Nigeria head coach, has said, host nation, Morocco, “will be a bigger test” for the Super Eagles.
His statement is coming ahead of the semi final clash between Nigeria and Morocco scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
Chelle described the showdown against Algeria as a “big test”, but, said, the Super Eagles “work as a family”.
Right inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Nigeria and Morocco will clash in the semi final of the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2025 at 21:00 (WAT) on Wednesday 14 January, 2026.
Whoever emerges winner heads straight for the final, which will take place on Sunday 18 January, 2026.
Nigeria and Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi, revealed the secret to the Super Eagles success at the AFCON 2025, saying, it is the “family environment”.
Iwobi, who formerly fielded for Arsenal, has been very essential in the progress of the Super Eagles in the tournament, making available precision passes from the midfield which mostly resulted to goals.
His two (2) passes to the left wing helped Nigeria score twice against Mozambique in the knockout stage. A game Nigeria won by four (4) goals to nil (0).
Nigeria reached the last four of the tournament after a 2-0 easy win over Algeria in the quarter finals; a game the Super Eagles heavily dominated from kick off to the final whistle.
Chelle’s and Iwobi’s statements at the pre-Morocco press conference:
Eric Chelle said: “Algeria was a big test. Morocco will be a bigger test. Every game is a big test. We work as a family. We suffer together and win together.”
Alex Iwobi said: “For me, I feel like the difference [at this #AFCON2025] is the family environment. There’s unity. The coach has brought that out in”.
Nigeria are looking more and more like the team to beat at the AFCON 2025 as the West African nation emerged into the semi finals as the only team with a 100% record in the tournament.
The Atlas Lions are now the only hurdle the Super Eagles have to scale through to reach the final for the title as Morocco are expected to bask in home support.
The pressure is heavier on Morocco as they will be eyeing to win the match in front of tens of thousands of their own fans after fifty (50) years they last won the title.
The Wednesday night encounter will be Morocco’s first appearance in the AFCON semi finals since 2004.
How the Super Eagles progressed to the last four of AFCON 2025:
The Super Eagles of Nigeria emerged toppers of Group C after winning all three preliminaries; discomfiting Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda 2-1, 3-2 and 3-1 respectively.
They cruised past Mozambique 4-0 in the last sixteen (16) before facing another North African side, Algeria, in the quarter finals, who got ousted after losing 2-0.
Nigeria are the only semi finalists to have won all five (5) matches leading to the stage; they have reached the semi finals a record seventeen (17) times in the last twenty (20) tournaments they have qualified.
With fourteen (14) goals in five (5) games, Nigeria is currently the team in AFCON 2025 with the most goals scored.
How Morocco reached the semi finals of AFCON 2025:
The Atlas Lions of Morocco finished toppers of Group A with an unbeaten record, finishing with seven (7) points after winning two (2) and drawing one (1).
Morocco headed into the knockouts of the tournament Against Tanzania and won by a lone goal, before defeating Cameroon, who are five-time Winners of AFCON, 2-0, in the quarter finals.
Head Coach of Morocco, WalidRegragui, said: “It is historic. Moroccans have not seen their team in the semifinals of an AFCON for 22 years.
“They deserve it, but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic.”
Who plays who in the final?:
The winner between Nigeria and Morocco will slug it out with the winner between Senegal and Egypt.
Nigeria’s Best Performing Players:
Ademola Lookman is Nigeria’s most effective player after recording seven (7) goal involvements – three (3) goals and four (4) assists. Lookman, who plays for Italian Serie A club, Atalanta, was born in London, England, and will be fighting for the Best Player Of The Tournament award with Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.
Galatasaray sharpshooter, Victor Osimhen, has always proven to be lethal; threatening the defences of opponents. He has netted four (4) goals so far in the tournament, encompassing two (2) successive goals in the quarter finals.
With thirty-five (35) international goals in fifty-one (51) appearances for Nigeria, Osimhen is now just two (2) goals away from levelling the national team record of thirty-seven (37) goals held by the late Rashidi Yekini.
Yekini was a member of the Nigeria team that lifted the AFCON 1994, he also featured in two (2) World Cups.
Akor Jerome Adams has been heroic for Nigeria, scoring two (2) goals, and recording two (2) assists in the last two (2) games, while Alex Iwobi has been doing his wonders in the midfield.
Photo: Nigeria coach Eric Chelle gives instruction to Victor Osimhen | AFP
