The highly anticipated semi-final of the AFCON 2025 tournament is set to feature a blockbuster clash between host nation Morocco's Atlas Lions and Nigeria's Super Eagles. The match, scheduled for Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, brings together two of Africa's football powerhouses, with a spot in the final on the line.

Morocco's head coach, Walid Regragui, has addressed the mounting pressure and scrutiny surrounding his team, particularly after their controversial 2-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon. Regragui firmly dismissed claims of referee favoritism towards the host nation, asserting that Morocco's sole advantage against Nigeria will be the passionate home support from 65,000 spectators. He emphasized that the real contest unfolds on the field, stating, "Statistics show we are better than our opponents. We create more chances, and no goals were wrongly disallowed. Some people just look for excuses." The Atlas Lions enter this encounter riding an impressive world-record 25-match unbeaten streak, a testament to their formidable form since their exit from the 2023 edition.

On the other side, Nigeria's Super Eagles have embarked on an historic and flawless run at AFCON 2025 under Malian head coach Eric Chelle. The three-time African champions have won all five of their matches, displaying vibrant attacking football. Their journey included a 2-1 win over Tanzania, a thrilling 3-2 victory against Tunisia, a 3-1 triumph over Uganda with a rotated side, and a dominant 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in the round of 16. Their credentials were emphatically solidified with a commanding 2-0 quarter-final win over pre-tournament favorites Algeria. Chelle's side has scored 14 goals and conceded just four, showcasing a balanced and potent team.

Nigeria will face the challenge without captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, a significant blow to their midfield. Raphael Onyedika is expected to step in following impressive performances earlier in the tournament. Fitness concerns also surround Bright Osayi-Samuel, while Cyriel Dessers has withdrawn due to a thigh injury. Despite these absences, Nigeria boasts a strong lineup featuring CAF Player of the Year winners Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, supported by the commanding presence of Calvin Bassey in defense and the creative spark of Alex Iwobi in midfield. The predicted starting lineup includes Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Iwobi; Lookman, Adams, Osimhen.

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has been a shining light for Nigeria, completing the most line-breaking passes in the tournament. He has also vehemently defended his off-field media activities, including his "AFCON Diary" series on YouTube, against accusations of distraction. Iwobi confidently stated, "Media and my YouTube content is not a distraction." He also admitted that Morocco presents the biggest hurdle, calling the Atlas Lions "scary" after their clinical dismantling of Cameroon, but expressed confidence in his team's ability to prevail. In a lighter moment, Coach Eric Chelle jokingly remarked that he would visit the mosque to pray for a win if the semi-final against Morocco were to go into a penalty shootout.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed an experienced team of officials for this crucial encounter. Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea will serve as the centre referee, assisted by South African official Abongile Tom and Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela, also from South Africa. Laryea, a FIFA-badged referee since 2014, is highly regarded and has previously officiated at multiple AFCON tournaments. He also served as a VAR official in Morocco's quarter-final match against Cameroon. The match is expected to draw immense attention, with Nigerian TikTok star Peller even promising Ademola Lookman ₦500,000 for every goal he scores against Morocco, adding another layer of excitement to an already highly anticipated fixture.