Nigeria will attempt to recreate history when they face hosts Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night in Rabat.
It is only the second time the two nations have met at this stage of the competition. The first came 46 years ago at AFCON 1980, when Felix Owolabi’s ninth-minute strike secured a 1–0 victory for the Super Eagles, a result that propelled them to their first continental title.
This latest clash also marks Nigeria’s record-extending 16th semi-final appearance at the tournament. The Super Eagles first reached this stage in 1978, losing 2–1 to Uganda, and since then have built a reputation as one of AFCON’s most consistent performers.
Their semi-final record stands at 15 matches played, with eight victories and seven defeats. Four of those wins came in open play, while four were secured via penalty shootouts.
Of their seven eliminations, six were in open play and one on penalties.
Under the expanded 24-team AFCON format, Nigeria remain one of only two nations to have reached three semi-finals, alongside Senegal. Yet no team has failed to progress from more semi-finals than Nigeria, a statistic that underlines both their consistency and the fine margins that have defined their history at this stage.
With five straight wins already in Morocco 2025, Wilfred Ndidi and his teammates will be determined to ensure that this semi-final echoes the triumph of 1980, and that the Super Eagles once again turn Rabat into a happy hunting ground.
