Olaleye IDOWU
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History has a way of putting things into perspective, where understanding is met with the realities of events. This is especially so when talking about the event that is about to unfold today, as all is set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final tie between host nation Morocco and Nigeria on Wednesday night.The AFCON semi-final tie will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, at 9 pm Nigerian time.Wednesday’s semi-final tie will be the sixth time both teams have faced each other at the AFCON.Morocco leads the head-to-head with three wins to Nigeria’s two, and the last time both sides met at the AFCON was 22 years ago, in the group stage of the 2004 edition, where the Atlas Lions defeated the Super Eagles 1-0, thanks to Mustapha Hadji’s goal.However, Nigeria and Morocco are the two most in-form teams at the ongoing AFCON so far.The Super Eagles enter the match as the team to beat, having won all their last five games against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria, respectively.They have scored 14 goals, the highest for any team in the tournament so far, thanks to the contribution of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Raphael Onyedika and Semi Ajayi.The Super Eagles, who boast the best attack team, will be aiming for their ninth AFCON final overall, and only their second consecutive appearance in the final in Nigeria’s history.Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, will be without his captain, Wilfred Ndidi, through suspension, after the former Leicester City midfielder picked up a second yellow card in the quarter-final win against Algeria.On their part, Morocco arrive in the semi-finals having won four of their last five matches.The Atlas Lions have relied heavily on Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz for goals.Diaz has scored in five consecutive matches, with his five goals accounting for more than half of the team’s tournament total of nine.Morocco boasts the tournament’s best defensive record so far, as they have conceded just one goal.Morocco coach Walid Regragui will be without Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi against Nigeria due to a persistent calf injury.The Super Eagles will aim to redeem themselves, having finished runner-up in the last edition of the AFCON in the Ivory Coast and later failing to secure the 2026 World Cup ticket following their defeat to DR Congo in the qualifying playoff final.Morocco, on the other hand, hopes to count on its home supporters against Nigeria and advance to the final for the third time in its history.Speaking with Newsmen ahead of the Wednesday clash, respected Lagos-based journalist, Femi Fabunmi, offered his opinion on the match between Nigeria and Morocco.He insisted that the Chelle’s side will defeat Morocco and qualify for the AFCON final because of their impressive performances so far, and they have squad depth.“The Super Eagles are by far the best team in this AFCON. They have squad depth and a perfect replacement for every player in all departments on the field,” Fabunmi told NewsmenTheir performances so far have shown that as well. With the way they have been playing, they will definitely defeat Morocco and qualify for the final,” he said.
