Nigeria v Morocco live: Afcon 2025 latest score and semi-final updates

Four players from this match will have a decent chance of finishing the tournament as top scorer, with Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman all in the hunt for the golden boot.

Díaz is the outright leader ahead of kick-off with five goals so far, with Osimhen one behind on four goals from his five matches.

Both Lookman and El Kaabi have three goals each.

Here is the top scorer list in full:

1 – Brahim Díaz – 5 goals

2 – Victor Osimhen – 4 goals

4 – Ademola Lookman – 3 goals

=4 – Ayoub El Kaabi – 3 goals

=4 – Amad Diallo – 3 goals

=4 – Riyadh Mahrez – 3 goals

=4 – Lassine Sinayoko – 3 goals

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has firmly rejected suggestions that officials at the Africa Cup of Nations have shown favouritism towards the host nation.

Conspiracy theories alleging leniency from tournament referees have been circulating among some broadcast pundits and online supporters, but Regragui dismissed these claims outright.

“It’s always a shame to go down this path,” he told a press conference on Tuesday as Morocco prepared to take on Nigeria in their semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.

Senegal have just secured a dramatic 1-0 win over Egypt in the other semi-final, with the winning goal coming from none other than Sadio Mane!

The Lions of Teranga have booked the first place in Sunday’s final in Rabat.

Some transfer news involving an experienced Morocco striker…

But Everton have only had six goals from centre-forwards all season, with Thierno Barry and Beto both on three, and each missed a penalty in the shootout as they exited the FA Cup to Sunderland.

Nigeria manager Éric Chelle has made just one change to the XI that convincingly beat Algeria last time out, with Wilfred Ndidi making way for Raphael Onyedika in midfield.

He is supported by Premier League duo Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka, with Ademola Lookman in a more advanced role and the striking duo of Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen once again trusted to lead the line.

Morocco boss Walid Regragui has named the same starting XI as the one that beat Cameroon in the quarter-finals. Key defenders Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui retain their places, with Neil El Aynaoui anchoring midfield.

Bilal El Khannouss and Ismael Saibari provide attacking support to a forward line led by Ayoub El Kaabi and Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz, who remains in contention for the tournament’s golden boot.

Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Onyeka, Iwobi; Lookman; Adams, Osimhen.

Subs: Uzoho, Simon, Awaziem, Mohammed, Ejuke, Nnadi, Dele-Bashiru, Chukwueze, Akinsanmiro, Sanusi, Ogbu, Lawal, Obasogie, Onuachu

Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; El Khannouss, Saibari; Diaz, El Kaabi Ezzalzouli.

Subs: El Kajoui; Al Harrar; Amrabat, Igamane, Rahimi, Ben Seghir, Chibi, Targhalline, Akhomach, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Talbi, Eddine, Belammari, Ait Boudlal.

The line-ups should be released at any point between now and the next 10 minutes or so, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides…

Morocco have also had to contend with their fair share of injuries this tournament but the return of captain and star man Achraf Hakimi suggested they had survived the worst of it. Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, one of the breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, remains sidelined with a calf problem, alongside Romain Saiss.

Nigeria have had no problems up front but have been dealt a worrying blow in defensive midfield with captain Wilfred Ndidi suspended after accumulating bookings. There are also concerns over the fitness of Bright Osayi-Samuel, who was forced off late against Algeria.

Here’s the remainder of the Afcon schedule then, with a reminder that the other semi-final between Egypt and Senegal is currently being played.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Nigeria v Morocco | 8:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Semi-final 1 Loser v Semi-final 2 Loser | 4:00 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco

Semi-final 1 Winner v Semi-final 2 Winner | 7:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco