Mansion Sports – A major clash will take place on the stage of the 2025/2026 Africa Cup of Nations as two of the continent’s leading powers face each other in the semifinal round.

Nigeria arrive with an attractive attacking style, while Morocco rely on discipline and the full support of the home crowd.

This match is expected to be fiercely contested and filled with prestige, while also serving as a mental test for both teams.

The match is scheduled to take place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 at 21.00 local time.

This is one of two major semifinals featuring some of Africa’s finest players, including recent CAF African Player of the Year winners such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Achraf Hakimi, all represented by the four remaining nations.

Before the match kicks off, take a look at recommendations from Mansion Sports for where to watch Nigeria vs Morocco January 2026 so you do not miss the thrilling action.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Nigeria

Nigeria have become one of the most remarkable stories of this tournament, exceeding expectations following the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing a playoff against the Democratic Republic of the Congo last November.

Under the guidance of Malian head coach Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles still carry heavy expectations as three-time African champions.

That pressure has not diminished the confidence of Nigeria’s football-passionate public, who believe that the “African giants” can rise to the challenge against any opponent.

Arriving in the group stage with relatively modest targets, Nigeria instead produced fluid attacking football and recorded a perfect run to the semifinals, winning every match with some of the most impressive offensive displays of the tournament.

Nigeria opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania, followed by a dramatic 3-2 win against Tunisia to secure early qualification, before rotating the squad and claiming a 3-1 win over Uganda in the final group match.

They then thrashed Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16 and recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over one of the tournament favorites, Algeria, in the quarterfinals.

Chelle’s side are the most prolific team so far with 14 goals from five matches, conceding four goals, and recording two clean sheets.

The attacking quality is driven by Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, supported by Akor Adams, while leadership and balance come from Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria and Morocco have met 11 times since 1969 across major competitions, with Morocco holding the overall advantage with six wins, while the Super Eagles have recorded four victories and one draw.

This rivalry has been shaped through World Cup qualifiers and AFCON meetings, including Nigeria’s important victories in 1980 and 2000.

However, that balance has shifted in recent years, with Morocco dominating the last six encounters.

Nigeria have managed only one win, a 2-0 victory at AFCON 2000, while the most recent meeting ended in Nigeria’s heaviest defeat in this rivalry, a 4-0 loss at the 2018 African Nations Championship.

Nigeria suffered a major blow ahead of the semifinal as captain Wilfred Ndidi must serve a one-match suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

This leaves Éric Chelle without the Besiktas midfielder in Rabat, with Raphael Onyedika expected to replace him after impressing in the group stage, including scoring two goals against Uganda.

There are also fitness concerns surrounding Bright Osayi-Samuel after he was withdrawn late against Algeria and remains doubtful.

Meanwhile, Panathinaikos forward Cyriel Dessers is confirmed to be unavailable after withdrawing from the squad due to a thigh injury.

Calvin Bassey has been dominant at the back throughout the tournament, while his Fulham teammate Alex Iwobi has delivered the best performances of his international career as the playmaker behind the attacking trio of Lookman, Adams, and Osimhen.

Morocco

As hosts, Morocco topped Group A with seven points from victories over Comoros 2-0 and Zambia 3-0, along with a 1-1 draw against Mali.

Walid Regragui’s side combine strong home support with a disciplined defensive structure and sharp attacking transitions.

In the knockout phase, the Atlas Lions eliminated Cameroon with a 2-0 victory. Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz once again demonstrated his clinical edge, while Morocco controlled the match through structured possession, effective set pieces, and compact defensive organization.

Key moments in that win were Diaz’s opening goal and Ismael Saibari’s second, a performance that preserved Morocco’s unbeaten record from open play and underlined their ability to manage risk in high-pressure matches.

This run marks Morocco’s fifth AFCON semifinal appearance and their most significant campaign since 2004.

Previously, the Atlas Lions reached the final only once as hosts in 1988, and one more victory could send them to a third senior CAF final within a single year.

One of the main highlights has been Diaz’s form, as he has scored in five consecutive matches and become the first player in the last 15 years to score in his first five AFCON appearances.

This aligns with Regragui’s tactical leadership in shaping a team capable of blending pragmatic defending with sharp attacking threats.

In contrast to Nigeria’s attacking approach, Morocco’s strength is built on defensive solidity, conceding only one goal throughout the tournament and never from open play, making them an extremely formidable opponent on home soil.

Morocco faced several injury issues during the tournament, but the return of captain Achraf Hakimi has provided a significant boost to the squad.

Nevertheless, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi remains sidelined due to a calf injury sustained in training, and Romain Saiss is also still unavailable after being injured against Comoros.

Brahim Diaz, who has played a crucial role in guiding the hosts to the semifinals, once again stands as the primary threat against Nigeria.

Regragui has also received positive news with no additional injuries or suspensions, allowing Morocco to approach this match in near full fitness.

Where to Watch Nigeria vs Morocco January 2026

For those who want to watch and are looking for where to watch Nigeria vs Morocco January 2026, depending on your country of residence, this match can be viewed through official streaming platforms such as:

• beIN Sports
• Fubo
• Channel 4
• Super Sport