AFCON 2025 Preview: Super Eagles Rely on Rabat’s History as Happy Hunting Ground

Posted : 13 January 2026

The Nigeria senior national team will take on Morocco in Rabat, a city that has historically served as a fortunate venue for the Super Eagles. The only previous clash between the two sides in Morocco’s administrative capital occurred on Saturday, 28 August 1983, during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Benin City two weeks earlier, Nigeria made tactical adjustments for the return leg.

Coach Adegboye Onigbinde introduced goalkeeper Peter Rufai for Wilfred Agbonavbare and brought in Kingsley Paul, Amos Edoseghe, Anthony Edward, Wole Odegbami, and Sunday Daniel to the starting XI. Morocco, under Brazilian coach José ‘Mehdi’ Faria, fielded their regular lineup including Badou Ezzaki, Mustapha El Haddaoui, Abdelaziz Bouderbala, and Mohamed Timoumi.

After a tightly contested match, the game ended 0-0, and Nigeria triumphed 4-3 on penalties, securing a place at the 14th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Côte d’Ivoire, where they eventually finished as runners-up.

This Wednesday, as the Super Eagles step onto the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium turf, they will be reminded of their unbeaten record against Morocco in Rabat. Attention also turns to Victor Osimhen, who needs just two goals against the Atlas Lions to equal Rashidi Yekini’s national team record of 37 goals.

The 27-year-old Galatasaray striker currently has 35 goals in 51 appearances. With teammates Alex Iwobi, Akor Adams, and Ademola Lookman providing support, Osimhen has a strong chance to surpass the legendary “Goalsfather.”

Iwobi, who has excelled at this AFCON, is set to earn his 96th cap, moving closer to the century mark alongside former captain Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who each reached 101 caps. Ahmed Musa remains Nigeria’s all-time leader with 111 caps.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Sékou Chelle will lead a confident squad into the match, having never lost a competitive game in regulation time since taking over 12 months ago. Chelle’s record stands at 11 wins, five draws, and only one defeat in 17 matches, the loss coming in a friendly against Egypt with an understrength side.

Recent results under Chelle include Nigeria’s dominant performances in AFCON 2025: victories over Tanzania (2-1), Tunisia (3-2), Uganda (3-1), Mozambique (4-0), and Algeria (2-0), demonstrating that the Eagles are hitting peak form as they prepare for the semifinal showdown against Morocco.

AFCON 2025 Preview: Super Eagles Rely on Rabat’s History as Happy Hunting Ground

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics