AFCON Update: Pharaohs dare Terenga Lions, Supear Eagles face hosts, Morocco

AFCON 2025 semis preview: Nigeria vs hosts Morocco; Egypt vs Senegal. Osimhen, Lookman test Atlas Lions; Salah, Mane star in thriller.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face off against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in their AFCON semi-final clash on Wednesday, what should we expect from both sides? (Photo credit: BBC)

The semifinal of the 2025 AFCON takes centre stage on Wednesday as the Super Eagles of Nigeria take on the host nation, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, while Egypt will face Senegal earlier in the day.

There’s so much to unpack from this juggernaut of fixtures, and we’re here for the drama. The Pharaohs of Egypt made it to the last four, beating Ivory Coast 3-2, as inspired by the duo of Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and the Egyptian King, Mohammed Salah.

It was the first time in the tournament that the Hoassam Hassan-led side had applied themselves impressively in any game, ensuring that the late fightback from the defending champions amounted to nothing. Now they must go one better.

Senegal is among the favourites to land the AFCON title this year. The 2021 champions continue to march on, with their last win being their toughest, despite Mali going down to ten men midway into the first half after Yves Bissouma was sent for an early bath.

The Lions of Teranga have what it takes in all departments to trouble anyone. The likes of Sadio Mane, Khalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy have rich experience in their loins to see out the Egyptians, but it won’t be an easy game for either side.

Everton’s Illman Ndiaye scored the winner against Mali. Together with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye in the Senegalese midfield, the Egyptians will have their work cut out, and this one could go down to extra time and even penalties.

To the other one, which we expect all eyes in Africa to be interested in, it’s a game of two big sides with something to prove. The Moroccans have been the best African side for a few years now; this will be their toughest test ever.

The Super Eagles, without a shadow of a doubt, have played their best football in years at this AFCON, leaving many people wondering where they kept this swagger during their ill-fated World Cup qualifiers. They will definitely test Morocco on Wednesday.

Expect more of the same from the hosts. Technical game built on the wonders of Achraf Hakimi and the finishing skills of Brahim Diaz. Morocco will also leverage the twelfth man, their home crowd, and their opponents must be ready to live with that.

Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen will be dangerous, and Morocco cannot afford them space. The beautiful football Nigeria played against Algeria must have sent warnings to the Lions; if they want to stop Nigeria, they might look in the direction of Alex Iwobi.