The Africa Cup of Nations reaches its decisive stage on Wednesday with two heavyweight semi-final clashes in Morocco, as Nigeria take on hosts Morocco in Rabat while former Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane face off when Egypt meet Senegal in Tangiers.
Nigeria head into their showdown with Morocco buoyed by confidence, unity and attacking firepower, having emerged as the tournament’s most prolific side. The Super Eagles have scored 14 goals en route to the last four, with Victor Osimhen netting four and Ademola Lookman adding three.
Speaking in Rabat on Tuesday, Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi credited head coach Eric Chelle for fostering a strong sense of unity within the squad, saying it has been key to their resurgence just months after World Cup qualification heartbreak.
“I feel like the difference is the sense of brotherhood and family environment we have created,” said the 29-year-old Fulham star. “It’s not just on the pitch, it’s also off the pitch. Everybody is entering their prime and doing well at their clubs, and you can see the joy and chemistry when we play for our country. It starts with the coach.”
Disappointment becomes motivation
Nigeria were eliminated from World Cup qualification in agonising fashion after a penalty shoot-out loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat in November, but Iwobi said that disappointment has been transformed into motivation.
“We wanted to win those qualifiers as well, but it was a difficult moment,” he said. “We have used that pain to push ourselves to achieve something for our country and our families.”
Chelle acknowledged that managing a squad featuring recent African Footballers of the Year Osimhen and Lookman has eased his task, but Nigeria face a major test without suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi. Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika is expected to deputise.
“We are a group,” Chelle said. “There are players ready to step in and show what they can do.”
Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked nation, will rely heavily on home support at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where nearly 70,000 fans are expected. Head coach Walid Regragui, who guided the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022, warned his players of the challenge Nigeria present.
“At this level you need to raise your concentration, run more and deny Nigeria space,” Regragui said. “We must be strong mentally.”
The pressure on the Moroccan coach is intense, with expectations sky-high for the hosts to lift the trophy on home soil.
“In my country, you must accept criticism when you are the coach,” Regragui added. “I stay focused on my team. What matters is what we do on the pitch.”
‘Nobody wants to win this trophy more than me’ - Salah
In the other semi-final, continental heavyweights Senegal and Egypt collide in Tangiers, with the spotlight firmly on former Liverpool stars Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who meet again with a place in the final at stake.
It will be the first time the pair share a pitch since the 2022 Champions League final, shortly before Mane left Liverpool.
Their international rivalry has been intense in recent years, most notably in the 2022 AFCON final, where Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties after Mane scored the decisive kick and Salah was left in tears.
Egypt’s captain now has another chance to chase the one major honour missing from his glittering career. Salah has scored four goals in four matches at this tournament and is determined to end his long wait for AFCON glory after final defeats in 2017 and 2022.
“Nobody wants to win this trophy more than me,” Salah said. “I have won almost everything else. This is the title I am waiting for.”
Third AFCON win?
Senegal, meanwhile, are aiming for a third final appearance in four AFCON editions and will lean on Mane’s experience. The Al-Nassr forward, who lifted the trophy in 2022, admitted he now plays with less pressure.
“Before I won the African Cup, the pressure sometimes affected my performances,” Mane said. “Now it’s different.”
Both teams have already secured qualification for the next World Cup, but continental supremacy remains the immediate focus. Egypt are chasing a record-extending eighth AFCON title, while Senegal seek to reaffirm their status as one of Africa’s dominant forces.
