Forward of the epic semifinal conflict between Nigeria and Morocco contained in the 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on the ongoing thirty fifth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday, Softfootball takes a have a look at eight memorable matches between these two powerhouses.
Nigeria outclassed Algeria 2-0 to succeed in the semifinal of the competitors whereas the Atlas Lions eradicated Cameroon with a 2-0 scoreline in a keenly contested encounter, exhibiting their capability of coping nicely towards bodily constructed West African sides.
Apparently, the final time Nigeria confronted North Africans in consecutives knockout matches at AFCON they went on to win the competitors. Nigeria beat Morocco within the semifinal of AFCON earlier than going forward to demolish Algeria 3-0 within the last to assert their first ever title on dwelling soil.
Nigeria have scored 158 targets of their 109 matches in AFCON historical past, and have misplaced solely 4 of their final 23 matches within the competitors, together with final time period’s Ultimate towards hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
Nevertheless, Morocco received’t be pushovers as the present squad have Brahim Diaz, the event’s main scorer with 5 targets, in addition to three-goal Ayoub El Kaabi, captain Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Ismael Saibari and Azzedine Ounahi.
Incase you missed the targets from the quarter-final matches, listed below are highlighted as shared through CAF’s official X deal with. Watch under.
Ten targets throughout 4 matches. Take pleasure in each aim from the quarter-finals, offered to you by @Danone. 🫶#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/LUCz5ZN8eE
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 11, 2026
Softfootball presents the eight memorable encounters between Nigeria and Morocco.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (Tokyo 1964 Olympic Video games Qualifier, Dakar)
After each groups have been stalemated in two legs of the qualifying collection (Nigeria received 3-0 in Lagos and Morocco received 4-1 in Casablanca), world football-governing physique, FIFA, dominated that there needed to be a one-leg playoff to find out the winner. It was the interval earlier than the away-goal-counts-double precept. Asuquo Ekpe, with a brace, and ‘wonderboy’ Paul Hamilton accounted for the defeat of Morocco in Lagos. Hamilton scored Nigeria’s solely aim within the return leg in Casablanca. Nevertheless, the Atlas Lions edged the tie in Dakar and took the ticket.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (1976 Africa Cup of Nations, Addis Ababa)
A younger, gifted, pushed and agile Nigeria workforce had surprised Cup holders Zaire (now DR Congo) 4-2 of their first match on the continental finals in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, they fell 1-3 to the Atlas Lions of their third sport, after a 1-0 win over Sudan. The wins over Zaire and Sudan certified the Eagles for the ultimate spherical of a event that continues to be the one one until date to have been performed on league foundation. In that last spherical, they got here up towards Morocco once more. Baba Otu Mohammed scored simply earlier than the hour however Ahmed Faras and Redouane El Guezzar received it for Morocco with late targets. Morocco emerged champions whereas the Eagles, who defeated Egypt 3-2 of their last sport, took bronze.
Nigeria Vs Morocco (1976 Olympics Qualifying Match, Lagos)
Solely three weeks after the frustration of Addis Ababa, the chance offered itself for the Eagles to actual their revenge on the Atlas Lions. In a Montreal Olympics qualifying match on the Nationwide Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria swept to a commanding 3-1 win due to a brace from Thompson Usiyen and a aim by Kelechi ‘Caterpillar’ Emeteole. Nigeria misplaced the return by a lone aim, and certified for Montreal. Nevertheless, the Authorities of Nigeria led an African boycott of the Video games on account of host nation Canada’s dalliance with New Zealand, which had sporting ties with apartheid South Africa.
Nigeria Vs Morocco (1980 AFCON semifinal, Lagos)
The Inexperienced Eagles have been flying excessive within the first AFCON to be hosted by Nigeria, and the Atlas Lions couldn’t cease them, as Felix Owolabi lashed in the one aim early within the semifinal encounter on the Nationwide Stadium, Lagos to set the stage for a Nigeria, Algeria Ultimate, which the Eagles received to assert their first AFCON title.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 AFCON qualifying match, Rabat)
After a scoreless attract Benin Metropolis, Nigeria and Morocco once more ended it 0-0 within the return in Rabat, necessitating a penalty shootout to find out the winner. Nigeria received 4-3 on penalties and certified for Cote d’Ivoire 1984.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 Olympics Qualifying Match, Casablanca)
Each groups had once more ended the primary leg in Lagos 0-0, and the identical outcome was returned in Casablanca within the race to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. Within the ensuing penalty shootout, Morocco received 4-3 and certified to the following spherical.
The present Tremendous Eagles gamers actually took observe to how the previous workforce introduced mild and smiles to followers with every aim celebrations as seen on this video shared through CAF’s official X deal with. Watch under.
Soccer heritage. Akor and Bassey know Okocha’s proud. 🇳🇬🤍#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/oHys1fTK7c
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026
Nigeria Vs Morocco (2000 Africa Cup of Nations, Lagos)
Targets by Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa gave Nigeria victory and qualification to the quarter-finals of the AFCON finals they co-hosted with Ghana, establishing a conflict with the Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Morocco Vs Nigeria (2014 African Nations Championship, Cape City)
Morocco took the sport by the scruff from the primary blast of the whistle and sped to a 3-0 lead after 45 minutes on the Cape City Stadium. Nevertheless, Nigeria, coached by Stephen Keshi (of blessed reminiscence) returned from recess a special proposition, and drew degree earlier than profitable in additional time to qualify for the semifinals.
