Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles will step into unfamiliar territory on Wednesday night time, January 14, once they face host nation Morocco within the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with kick-off set for 9:00 pm in Rabat. It’s a conflict heavy with promise—and burdened by historical past.
Unbeaten and flawless thus far, Nigeria arrive within the Moroccan capital on the again of 5 straight victories, the primary time of their AFCON historical past they’ve received their opening 5 matches of a single match.
But perfection alone is probably not sufficient,awaiting them is not only the Atlas Lions, however a long-standing, uncomfortable reality that has adopted Nigeria throughout generations: the Tremendous Eagles have by no means defeated a bunch nation in an AFCON knockout match.
A Historical past That Refuses to Fade
When Nigeria meet an AFCON host with every little thing on the road, the previous has usually turned merciless. In 1990, Algeria denied the Tremendous Eagles continental glory, edging a tense closing 1–0 in Algiers.
Fourteen years later, Tunisia repeated the heartbreak, holding Nigeria to a 1–1 draw earlier than prevailing 5–3 on penalties within the semi-finals of AFCON 2004.
Ghana adopted swimsuit in 2008, knocking Nigeria out 2–1 within the quarter-finals in Accra.
Most lately, Côte d’Ivoire accomplished the painful sample in 2024, defeating Nigeria 2–1 within the closing.
4 knockout matches in opposition to hosts, resulted in 4 defeats.An undesirable file etched deep into AFCON folklore.
Nigeria’s solely successes in opposition to host nations have are available group-stage encounters—victories over Senegal in 1992 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2024. Encouraging, sure. Decisive, no.
Morocco the Host, Nigeria the Check
Now comes Morocco—disciplined, organised and pushed by a nation nonetheless chasing its first AFCON title since 1976. Unbeaten and assured, the Atlas Lions stand between Nigeria and a return to the ultimate.
There’s historical past right here too. Morocco and Nigeria first crossed paths at AFCON in 1976, when the North Africans defeated the Tremendous Eagles twice en path to lifting the trophy.
4 years later, the roles reversed. Nigeria, as hosts in 1980, beat Morocco 1–0 within the semi-finals, Felix Owolabi’s early strike paving the way in which for Nigeria’s first continental crown.
That continues to be Nigeria’s solely AFCON semi-final victory over Morocco—and their final knockout win in opposition to the Atlas Lions on the match. Greater than 20 years have handed since their final AFCON assembly. A lot has modified. The reminiscences stay.
A Group Constructed to Problem Destiny
This Tremendous Eagles aspect, nonetheless, feels completely different.
5 matches. 5 wins. Fourteen targets.
Nigeria have scored a minimum of twice in each sport—an achievement beforehand recorded simply as soon as of their AFCON historical past.
Their quarter-final demolition of Algeria, a managed 2–0 win with out conceding a single shot heading in the right direction, underlined their authority.
Victor Osimhen has led the cost with 4 targets and relentless depth.
