Completesports.com’s live blogging of the AFCON 2025 Semi-final match between the the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Atlas Lions of Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium Rabat, Morocco.
By James Agberebi, in Rabat
Nigeria Vs Morocco Live Blogging – AFCON 2025 Semi-Final
Nnamdi Ezekute
Nnamdi Ezekute, a sports reporting expert, has risen through the ranks at Complete Communications Limited (CCL) famed for publications like Complete Sports.
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82 Comments
So another all west Africa final loading, but how did Egypt get to the semi though?
Egypt seemed poor to me too.
Final: Nigeris vs Senegal
Why are you like this @Femi?? Pls dont talk before the game is played..
Dnt worry @ugo, I’ve watched Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt played, they are all from North Africa and trust me the SE will need be in massive deep of form to loose today.
Up SE.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Or men.
Big match today.
If we play the way we’ve been playing, WE HAVE A CHANCE.
Opportunities like this don’t come everyday.
Let’s go boys!
Give us this day o Lord….!!!
Good luck super eagles, go out there and conquer,
The Lord is our Shepherd, He will guide the Super Eagles to Victory tonight
Amen sir.
Amen our one and only legit and recognized dokita
Onyedika was a bit rash.
Please where can I stream the match?
We are delivering too many wayward passes.
@Dr Drey Mr Ndidi’s worst enemy can you now see why you should not disrespect Onyinye Wilfred The Rock Ndidi. Onyedika is not even close to Ndidi’s left Shoe lace. I keep telling you people Ndidi is our most important Midfielder. Iwobi and Onyeka cannot express themselves if Ndidi is not there.
I just hope Onyedika proves me wrong and can step up just a bit. Please God
Una dey see officiating? Wow biased officiating by dis Ghanaian ref.
Is it only me that feel the team is missing ndidi so far?
Pipo comparing Onyedika to Ndidi, una dey see. This is night and day, the gap in class between Ndidi and Onyedika
Onyedika is just not good.
I’ve had enough of Onyedika and Osayi.. We really miss Ndidi.
Very, very poor officiating.
Hahahaahaa….Ndidi the pass master or Ndidi the assist master……LMAOoooo
Ndidi has suddenly become a playmaker…….LMAOOooo
As if Ndidi would have done any better in a match where we are being pressed down to our goalkeeper.
Blind Bartimaeuses cannot see the way Onyedika has been breaking the lines, even from DM, and carrying the ball forward when Iwobi is shackled.
Onyedika’s only offence in this game is the fact that he has been caught in possession twice…… a clear sign he can also be comfortable on the ball
Otherwise, In terms of interceptions, he’s been spot on…..in terms of coverage, he’s been covering grounds.
Even the commentators have stopped praising him for his seamless integration.
Ndidi ko, Didinrin ni
@Dr Drey it is clear you are one of those who hates to admit when you are wrong. I give up with you abeg carry your Onyedika wahala e don do.
The guy is useless
Those ball boys are delaying super eagles throw in and our coach have to talk to onyedika and Samuel because some of our boys wasn’t sharp enough in that first half, they have to put pressure in that Morocco defense that will enter the second half with more doubt,
We should start using Iwobi as a decoy, Morocco has identified him as d key man same way they identified Baleba in Cameroon as their key to winning. Immediately Iwobi has posession 2/3 Moroccan players crowd him and not allow him play his football. VO9 is being starve of d ball. But our ashanti broda ref is a disgrace. How did Bassey get a card or foul blown against him when it was Diaz dat was pulling on his jersey. Morocco must win diz match by any means necessary is what is playing out tonight. Our boys can’t play our game bcos of d bad officiating. 1st half done, 0:0
Extremely poor officiating. Yellow card to Calvin is so underserved… Shame on the Referee Charly….
That Onyedika dude should be replaced by Toochukwu Nnadi, he is a better player and more combative and to me a better ball player. They will mount pressure on us in the second half because Chelle can’t trust another midfielder other than Onyedika… dude is too slow and offers nothing going forward. lazy on the ball and looks like he lacks confidence…
Jimmyball, how u dey? I actually disagree with ur recommendation of Nnadi for Onyedika, i think he is a decent player but d pressure is huge and he will do better in d 2nd half. He hasn’t been too poor contrary to what some might say but not good compared to Ndidi in dat midfield. I will let him play and he will grow in confidence
Defensively, Onyedika is nowhere near Ndidi’s level; offensively, yes Onyedika scores fabulous goals, Ndidi, none. But we need Onyedika to do the defensive aspects today and, thus far, he is a few sandwiches short of a full picnic.
We miss Ndidi like crazy
Eric said he will allow them have the ball in the first half, if this all they gat to offer while having the ball then they better not come out for the second half.
I hope still solid that we are heading to the final.
I don’t know why NFF didn’t protest about this Ghanaian referee. The average Ghanaian hates Nigeria’ progress. If anyone deserve a Yellow card, it’s the Moroccan who was pulling Bassey’s shirt in the first place. That was never a free kick let alone additional carding for Bassey so early on.
If by luck, Nigeria progresses to the final, Bassey will miss the next match. Terrible refereeing so far!
You guys should tell this your coach, in whom you are well pleased, to revert to the 4-3-3 we have played in the last 4 to 5 games, and let Lookman operate primarily as a left wing forward, as he was doing……..essentially to have more room to thrive and to help pin Hakimi back. He’s crowded out down the middle while Iwobi is being double-teamed. Our best striker is being starved of any passes or crosses and has been seen doing more defending in this game so far.
Sometimes wisdom is profitable to direct…….LMAooo
@Dr Drey realizing that we Ndidi is a big miss is the beginning of Wisdom for you
The word “wisdom” coming out of your mouth is the 8th wonder of the world.
The big miss, as per the Jay Jay Mikel of the team…….LMAOOo
The big miss as per the one with the defense splitting passes in the team……LMAOoo
The big miss as per the one through whom all our attacks flow……LMAOooo
No wonder Ndidi is in the running for a place in the CAF XI for this tournament ahead of Iwobi, Lookman, and Osimhen…….LMAOoo
If you were wise, you would have simply told us how Ndidi would have changed the course of this game differently……LMAOoo.
You are just barking, “Ndidi the rock” up and down……LMAOOoo…..common sense baa bu.
Ghanaian ref is a big disgrace to football. How is dat foul on lookman not called and morocco almost capitalized but a fine save by Nwabali. God help diz ref lol
This Ghana must go animal referee, their hatred for naija people can never finish
Akor needs to be withdrawn for Chukwueze or Simon abeg. He has been poor today. Would’ve preferred Chukwueze tho
Moses Simon for Onyedika Is Chelle trying to lose the game or what??. I would have thought Dele Bashiru or Nnadi will be called upon
Exactly, don’t know what simon is doing in the game now.
Coach please bring on chukwueze for Akor to put pressure on Mazraoui.
This ref is terrible. Akor is tired, onyedika was of no help
This match is to dicey to bring a player that can not defend or a player that looses the ball easily because the referee is against us. Chukwueze is not fit for this game. An energetic player that can move the ball forward and track back.is needed. Bashiru is a good fit.
Akor is tired na Chelle,;today is not his day so please bring on Chukwueze or another midfielder to help Onyeka and Iwobi in d middle na. Chukwueze can dribble and put pressure on defence and can score as well. Mazraoui is on vacation there. They are exploiting dat side of d field cos we r not pressuring or attacking dem
Battle of wits, physical and mental readiness……… An interesting game from all perspectives for neutrals.
Akor shouldn’t be on the pitch at this point….. It’s criminal. LMAoooo
Akor is not useful as a right winger.
It may sound funny but it is like super eagles player are under spell. Moroccans might have planted some voodoo on the pitch. All Nigeria player except Nwabali and Bassey look lost. They are looking weird as if they don’t know what they are doing on the field or how they even get on the pitch. Look at the players body and face reaction like they don’t even know where they are. Even Osinhen self was hiding behind opposing defenders unbelievable.
This might sound stupid but do not underrate the effect of manipulation oo
The team definitely miss ndidi, by second half of the extra time, Chelle shd bring in Paul onuachu ooo.
Hahahhahahhahahaaaaaaa.
Evenly balanced still….!!!
Providence, Grace, or penalty kicks… that’s all we can hope for at this point.
Nigerians with our extreme opinions. One day a player is the best in the world the next match he’s useless. How about we just watch and support our guys. They cant always be at their best every single game. The other team is good too (#1 in Africa), and maybe, just maybe they have something to do with how we’re playing. Up Super Eagles!
Common when are we gonna improve our PK taken GOD? I hate leftie players taken PK.
The irresistible force met the immovable object, penalties.
Congratulations and well done to both teams…..!
The stakes don’t get higher than they were tonight, yet you both delivered.
Penalties. Game of luck. Guys go there and blast d ball str8 thru d middle. Its as simple as dat
Chelle your head is not good for penalty at all, just accept this and have peace.
To super eagels may God bless your all, well done guys.
Chukwueze Wazzer Dazzling Dazzer
Chukwueze Mikueze,
2004 AFCON semifinals all over again……!
This is true
Cjukwueze’s penalty was just a backpass. Wow anoda terrible loss.
Do these people ever practice penalties……Cmon not after the Congo loss and why keep Osimhen the last minutes when he was like 1 man short.
The better team won congratulations Morocco!
The Joker of the team became the joker of the game….Chukwueze’s penalty was horrible. The senior players in the team need to step up for penalties…..Common man. We were totally outplayed tho…I feel for Bassey. No serious competence for us till nations cuo qualifiers late next year….Disband the bastard NFF
I salute all the Super Eagles players. All the odds were against them, but they stood their ground. I don’t get too excited about who wins a penalty shootout because it’s just a lottery, even if Nigeria had nicked it.
Proud of the SE.
When you guys were attacking Dr.Drey I knew we going to lose the next game he always laughs last
@Greenturf The question you should be asking yourself is what kind of sick individual laughs at his own National. He shouldn’t be laughing because at the end of the day whether he cares to admit it or not Ndidi not being there from the first whistle allowed Morocco to gain the upper hand in the midfield him not being there providing that calm in midfield and defence for that matter deprived Iwobi and Onyeka that chance ti express themselves in this game
It also exposed Ajayi’s defensive lapses and also resulted in Bassey having to do 2 people’s job in defence. It completely destabilized our team.
I can confidently say we lost this game because Ndidi was not present.
P.s again only a clown laughs at his own National team.
Hahahahaha….was our problem in this game our inability to shield the back 4 or inability to get to the final 3rd…..??
Were we at any point lacking a shield for our back 4, or were passes slicing through our midfield to Moroccan strikers….?? Even EL Kaarbi was starved of service tonight. Morocco had to be moving the ball to the wings to find incision into Nigeria’s box.
The last time I checked, the Moroccans never created any clear-cut chances in the first 90 mins and were mostly reduced to speculative shots, which Nwabili used as match practice.
Ndidi the pass master general, the playmaker extraordinarie…….LMAOoo….we really missed him today. If he were there, Morocco wouldn’t have escaped lynching in the first 90 mins. Ndidi would have given through passes to Lookman and Osimhen as he has always done in the past………LMAOooo. If he were to be in this game, Akor would have been more productive……LMAOoooo
Calm ko, Calamine lotion ni.
Once again I was expecting you to tell us what Ndidi would have done differently to 1. beat the high press of Algeria 2. beat the push back on Iwobi 3. Beat the double teaming of Lookman 4. Beat the Isolation of Osimhen 5. Lastly and most importantly free the SE from the tactical prison the morrocan coach kept Chelle for almost the entire duration of the match…….but no, your are just barking obsession up and down.
Without Ndidi we got to the final of the last AFCON. With Ndidi we were dumped out of the World cup…..LMAOoo
Ndidi has never been a player we have ever won a match because he was present nor lost a match because he was absent. He has been that inconsequential for us for past 5 years at least.
Know all that and know peace…….LMAOoooo
I think Eric Chelle should do better for goodness sake!! His selection for penalty shootout is always suspect.
He goofed vs drc and now picking chukwueze and bruno as pk takes is a joke. This is where peseiro did better.
He really needs to work on this . This is the second time we are losing a pk .
Bruno scored against drc. And his PK todays wasn’t bad like that mumu chukzy chewing gum.
There’s nothing to laugh about here my brother.
The team already surpassed my target. I only gave Chelle a Q/final target, but we will now at least be playing for bronze.
However, whoever leaked my comment after the Mozambique game to the Moroccan coach did Nigeria great disservice.
People can say whatever they want to say. I dont care about whoever wants to argue against the earth being covered 70% by water……..LMAOOo. I only hope those loudmouths can now see the difference between playing a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 diamond.
We returned to status quo tonight, and once again, Chelle suffered a mental block……..LMAOOoo….even when options presented itself.
Chelle shd have let osimhen finished the game, at least for the PK shootout, why sub. Him within 2minutes ? See how chuckueze a professional played PK nitori olorun? PK denied us WC spot, PK denied us AFCON final, Real Madrid got beaten by albecete, SE got beaten by Morocco, what a sad night. It’s well.
Ndidi wouldn’t have done anything different because the Moroccans adopted same strategy DR Congo used in booting us out of the world Cup.
High press.Man marking our midfielders,giving them no room at all to play we were outnumbered.Our strikers were starved by stopping there feeds.All we could do was pass the ball around in our box .
Eric Chelle a good coach but has no answer when opponents adopts a man marking system with high press.
Nope I disagree, Ndidi have a way of shielding the back 4, like I said in one of my comment yesterday that onyedika is more of tony kroos while ndidi is more of Casemiro but we will need a Casemiro today and that’s exactly what the team lacked, ndidi is less flamboyant and he doesn’t care abt what’s going on I. The opponent half but shield his team hence reason nwabali hasn’t been tested that much prior to today. Less I forget think nwabali had a great game, he really proved me wrong today with some credible saves.
Good display from our super eagles
Best of luck next time
They should just build on the positives and nff should just let the coach continue with the team
And pls why are we blaming the ref.? It was a perfect match and the ref. Got most of his decisions correct, did we scored and he disallowed it? Did we have any PK appeal that he failed to give? The boys tried is all I can say and I will retain Chelle still except if our onigbese NFF are ready to go for any of the A class coaches out there.
The referee was very poor and biased against the SE. The yellow cards he dished out so quickly to Bassey early in the game and the one against Onyedika were undeserved. The Moroccan players did worst but the Ghanaian referee did not issue them a single card.
The fake Ghanaian referee damaged the SE players morale from very early in the game!
The boys tried. The odds and everything, including Morroco fans/crowd, referee and CAF were stalked against them.
I knew this was going to be the outcome as there is the desperation for Morocco to host and win. Early poor referee decisions against the SE put fear and panic in them and almost every SE players became too nervous and unable to play their normal game.
But these frequent penalty shoot out loses is becoming too painful!
Reading through the comments just makes me laugh. One funny clown said and i quote “wisdom is profitable to direct”.
Well, good game from the lads. Playing against one of the best team in the world and in front of their home crowd and still able to leave the decider to penalties tells a whole lot on the improvement of our lads. More improvement on both the players and the gaffer himself and the super eagles will definitely conquer.
To wrap it up; to those who think they are as wise as Solomon, please use your wisdom in your professional field. With the way y’all blab here one would think you are as perfect and good at what you do….na Nigeria we all dae Nd wetin my eyes dae see, d self acclaimed professionals in whatever field they are are as bad or even worse. So, calm your horns and look inward first better pointing a finger.
Wisdomeers
We should be very proud of this team. They did their best, and came very close to success.
5 wins out of 6 Afcon games so far is not bad at all.
Today we did not impose our attacking game on Morocco, like we did in other games. That is of course due to the quality of the opponent, plus the fact that we played them on their home turf. On a neutral ground, we likely would have beaten them. We had more possession, but it was Morocco that had more shots at goal, more crosses into the box, more corner kicks, more goal attempts.
It was always going to be a mountain to climb beating this Morocco team in front of their fanatical fans. With a more competent football federation and better preparations, we perhaps could have done it.
Going forward, this team needs to remain together. A few players may be added to boost the team.
With more time together, this team will only get better.
If only we had a real football federation! Not charlatans whose only interest is pilfering funds!
If the Moroccan officials had access to our players, they would be aiming to better their semifinal showing at the last world cup. We are like the proverbial man who lives by the river yet has no water to wash his hands. Abounding in talents but with nothing to show because our football is being run by an assemblage of mediocres!
In spite of having the most useless football federation on the planet, our boys still managed to represent us well. kudos to the coach and the entire team.
The Ghanaian referee was the Man of The Match.
I will say congratulations to the boys, they did their best.It is not easy to hold a pre annointed champion goalless for 120 minutes playing against 12 players, in their home before their fans.
It was a highly tactical match. With both teams canceling each other out.People said Morocco had 13 shots while Nigeria has 2.But check very carefully,out of that 13, only 5 were on target and most were speculative shots from afar that Nwabali used to shine.
People tend to forget that Nigeria has not lost any competitive match to any African side in regulation time for the past one year.Only the ogogoro drinking Finidi lost to Benin Republic 2-1 more than a year ago .
Bassey have clearly outgrown Fulham and it will be shocking if he does not move to a top three team in England,Italy, Spain or France.
I hope Chukwueze have not played himself out of the national team .He was dropped to the bench after the Tanzania opening game because of his selfish play and lack of end products to
his sometimes needless dribbles.At it stands he will need to do wonders at Fulham to get a look in again .
If Morocco win Afcon which is very likely, they will not be looked at as worthy champions because of the help they are getting from Referees obviously on instructions from CAF.Morocco complained when An Egyptian referee and Algerian VAR were assigned to the match and both were changed( Favoritism) why on earth did our own NFF not complain about the Ghanian referee and South African VAR referee? The same oversight that allowed South Africa played 7 of their world cup qualifies at home and also took Nigeria to a rugby field to play .
Overall, lessons have been learnt and I hope they will apply them in the future