Madagascar gave the home crowd an early scare. Ehsan Kari put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute after a move involving Ryan Ponti. Nigeria had to wait until first-half stoppage time for a reply, when Alex Iwobi set up debutant George Ilenikhena to make it 1-1.

Another debutant settled the contest after the break. Moses Usor replaced Samuel Chukwueze and struck in the 65th minute from a pass by Semi Ajayi, completing the comeback for Eric Chelle’s side.

Winning start in Group L

The result puts Nigeria on three points in Group L. Guinea-Bissau also won their opening match, beating Tanzania 2-0 away from home on Friday. The Super Eagles are due to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, 29 September.

For supporters in Akwa Ibom, the victory added another international football night to Uyo’s record as a home venue for the national team. Nigeria made the start it needed despite the absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen, with two new faces providing the goals.

Match: Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar | Scorers: George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor; Ehsan Kari | Competition: 2027 AFCON qualifying, Group L.

Match details: CAF match report. Featured image: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, photographed in 2021. Ei’eke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. No changes.

Match Recap

Date: January 14, 2026

Venue: Rabat, Morocco

Competition: AFCON Semifinal

Result: Nigeria 0–0 Morocco (Morocco won 4–2 on penalties)

The semifinal was a cagey affair, with both sides showing defensive discipline. Nigeria, missing captain Wilfred Ndidi due to suspension, struggled to dominate midfield but held firm against Morocco’s attacking threats. Ultimately, the game was decided in the cruel lottery of penalties.

Key Highlights

First Half: Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze looked lively but couldn’t break through Morocco’s defense.

Second Half: Morocco gained more possession (53.9% vs Nigeria’s 46.1%) and created six attempts compared to Nigeria’s one.

Extra Time: Both teams played cautiously, conserving energy for the shootout.

Penalty Drama:

Nigeria converted two (Onuachu, Chukwueze) but missed crucial kicks from Dele-Bashiru and Onyemaechi.

Morocco was flawless, with Youssef En-Nesyri striking the decisive penalty.

Nigeria’s Performance

Strengths: Defensive resilience, strong goalkeeping from Stanley Nwabali, and flashes of attacking intent.

Weaknesses: Lack of midfield control without Ndidi, poor finishing, and nerves in the shootout.

Standout Players: Osimhen  Chukwueze , Nwabali

Morocco’s Triumph

Clinical in penalties: Calm and composed execution under pressure.

Historic achievement: First AFCON final in 22 years, chasing their first continental title in 50 years.

Heroes: Achraf Hakimi (leadership) and En-Nesyri (decisive spot kick).

Nigeria showed grit and determination but fell short in the decisive moment. The absence of Ndidi highlighted the team’s reliance on his midfield presence, while Morocco’s composure carried them through. For Nigerian fans, this is a painful exit, but the Super Eagles’ resilience offers hope for the future. Morocco, meanwhile, marches into the final with history on their side.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Atlas Lions of Morocco are set for a heavyweight clash tonight at 9 p.m. in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat. With a place in the AFCON 2025 final at stake, this semi-final promises drama, history, and high-quality football.

For Nigeria, victory would mean

A ninth AFCON final appearance.

Consecutive finals for the first time since 1988 and 1990.

Drawing level with Ghana on nine final outings.

Morocco, meanwhile, are chasing their first AFCON final in over two decades and aiming to end a 50-year wait since their only continental triumph in 1976.

Nigeria’s Road to the Semi-Final

Only team with a perfect record at AFCON 2025.

Five wins in five matches, scoring 14 goals – their highest tally in a single edition.

Éric Chelle’s side has scored at least two goals in every game.

Morocco’s Road to the Semi-Final

Unbeaten run: four wins and one draw.

Built on discipline and defensive solidity.

Quarter-final: 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat.

Head-to-Head Record

Overall Meetings

Played: 11

Nigeria wins: 3

Morocco wins: 6

Draws: 2

AFCON Meetings

Played: 5

Nigeria wins: 2

Morocco wins: 3

Highlights:

1976: Morocco beat Nigeria twice en route to their only AFCON title.

1980: Nigeria won 1-0 in the semi-final (Felix Owolabi goal) and lifted the trophy.

2000: Nigeria triumphed 2-0 (Finidi George, Julius Aghahowa).

2004: Morocco edged 1-0 thanks to Youssef Hadji.

Seven of the 11 goals in their AFCON meetings came in the second half.

Nigeria vs Host Nations- Faced hosts/co-hosts 10 times at AFCON: 3 wins, 3 draws, 4 defeats.

Only one win in five knockout matches against host nations.

This is the second consecutive AFCON where Nigeria face the hosts (Ivory Coast in 2023).

Key Players to Watch

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)- 4 goals at AFCON 2025.

Nigeria have never lost an AFCON match in which he has scored or assisted.

Brahim Díaz (Morocco)- 5 goals, closing in on Ahmed Faras’ national AFCON record.

Yassine Bounou (Morocco)- 4 clean sheets – Morocco’s best defensive record in a single AFCON edition.

Where to Watch

Nigeria: SuperSport channels via DStv + streaming platforms.

South Africa: SABC channels.

Francophone Africa: Canal+ Afrique.

Final Thoughts

Tonight’s clash is more than just a semi-final it’s a battle of history, pride, and destiny. Nigeria seek to reaffirm their place among Africa’s elite, while Morocco aim to turn home advantage into continental glory.

Whichever way it goes, fans are guaranteed a night of intensity, passion, and unforgettable football.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has assured Nigerians that all financial obligations owed to the Super Eagles players and officials at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been fully addressed.

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‎His clarification follows widespread reports suggesting that members of the national team were unhappy over unpaid bonuses and were considering skipping training sessions or refusing to travel to Marrakech for their quarter-final encounter against Algeria.

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‎Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Dikko revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the full AFCON 2025 budget in November, adding that funding from the government had already been cleared.

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‎He explained that while the approval of funds had long been secured, the disbursement process naturally takes time, a fact he said the players were fully aware of.

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‎According to Dikko, discussions were held with key football stakeholders, including the Nigeria Football Federation, the team captain, deputy captain, and senior players, to clearly define and agree on players’ incentives for the tournament.

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‎He noted that the bonus structure was settled before the competition began and that the players knew exactly what they stood to earn at every stage of the tournament.

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‎The NSC Chairman further clarified that the only payment requested in cash by the players was their daily allowances, which he confirmed had already been paid. He added that match bonuses had been approved and were currently being processed for release.

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‎Dikko also disclosed that relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria, were working together to ensure the timely release of all funds.

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‎Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have continued their impressive run at the tournament, recording victories

Coming into the fixture unbeaten in their opening two matches, the Angels were confident of extending their fine form. But the home side struck in the 16th minute under controversial circumstances. After Ibom Angels had initially defended a corner kick successfully, the referee unexpectedly ordered a retake. The second attempt created a chaotic goal-mouth scramble, and Adamawa Queens’ forward, Ifeoma Damian, reacted quickest to poke home what eventually became the only goal of the encounter.

The decision to retake the corner left many fans and analysts puzzled, with the resulting sequence proving costly for the visitors.

Despite a spirited second-half performance, Ibom Angels struggled to break down the resilient Adamawa defence. The hosts held firm until the final whistle, handing the Angels their first defeat of the campaign.

The loss leaves Ibom Angels on “four points from three matches”, while Adamawa Queens now sit comfortably at the top of Group A with seven points.

Elsewhere across the league, it was a dramatic matchday as Rivers Angels, Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and Remo Stars Ladies all picked up important away victories. Meanwhile, Pacesetters Queens of Ibadan suffered their third straight loss and now find themselves slipping dangerously into relegation territory.

Ibom Angels will now turn their attention to yet another challenging away fixture as they prepare to face Rivers Angels next Wednesday. Adamawa Queens, on the other hand, will travel to lock horns with Edo Queens in what promises to be another exciting matchup.

The NWFL season is heating up, and for Ibom Angels, the mission will be to bounce back quickly and reclaim their unbeaten rhythm.