Morocco's head coach, Walid Regragui, has set the stage for a fiery Africa Cup of Nations semi-final by declaring that the host nation's only significant advantage against Nigeria's Super Eagles is the overwhelming support of their home crowd.
Regragui Dismisses Referee Favoritism Claims
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, January 12, 2026, Regragui directly addressed the swirling narratives suggesting that Moroccan refereeing decisions have benefited his team during the tournament. He firmly rejected these claims, redirecting the focus to the power of the Atlas Lions' supporters.
The coach was emphatic in his response to questions following Morocco's controversial quarter-final victory over Cameroon. Despite protests over potential penalties, Regragui maintained that his team's success is earned on the pitch, not through external assistance.
"We're the team to beat. As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage," Regragui stated. "The only advantage that Morocco has at this Africa Cup is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field, we speak on the field."
A Clash of Titans: Form Guide and History
The semi-final clash, scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, pits two of the tournament's most formidable sides against each other. Morocco enters the match with an impressive 25-match unbeaten streak, a run that began after their surprising exit in the 2023 AFCON.
However, they face a Nigerian team that has been flawless in the 2025 edition. Under coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles have won all five of their matches, dispatching strong opponents to reach this stage. Both teams remain undefeated in the tournament, with Morocco recording four wins and a draw alongside Nigeria's perfect record.
This encounter marks the first AFCON meeting between the two footballing giants in 22 years and is only their second semi-final showdown in the competition's history. According to historical records, all five of their previous AFCON matches have produced a winner, highlighting the competitive and decisive nature of this rivalry.
Super Eagles Ready for the Moroccan Fortress
While Regragui highlighted the 65,000-strong crowd as a potential game-changer, the Nigerian camp has signaled its readiness to face the hostile atmosphere. Following Nigeria's commanding 2-0 quarter-final win over Algeria, defender Semi Ajayi expressed the team's growing confidence and adaptability.
Ajayi indicated that the Super Eagles are mentally prepared for the intense environment awaiting them at the Moroccan stadium. The team views their progressive improvement throughout the tournament as a key asset heading into the high-stakes semi-final.
Overall, in 11 previous international meetings, Morocco holds a slight historical edge with six wins to Nigeria's three, alongside two draws. This sets the stage for a monumental clash where history, current form, and the roar of a home crowd will all collide to determine who advances to the AFCON 2025 final.
