{"id":19920,"date":"2026-01-13T03:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T03:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/19920\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T03:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T03:00:09","slug":"former-chippa-united-coach-eymael-predicts-outcome-of-morocco-vs-nigeria-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/19920\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Chippa United coach Eymael predicts outcome of Morocco vs Nigeria clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Chippa United coach Luc Eymael has backed hosts Morocco to carry the day when they come up against Nigeria in the eagerly-awaited semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.<\/p>\n

The Atlas Lions will host the Super Eagles<\/a> at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, with the final spot at stake. So far, Morocco<\/a>, and Nigeria remain unbeaten in the 2025 edition. While Nigeria have won five matches, Morocco have recorded four wins and a draw.<\/p>\n

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Morocco reached the last four after defeating Cameroon<\/a> 2-0 at the same venue, while Nigeria saw off Algeria<\/a> 2-0 at Stade de Marrakech.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This will be the sixth time Morocco and Nigeria are meeting in AFCON, the first meeting in 22 years, and the second in an AFCON semi-final.<\/p>\n

‘They will lose to Morocco’<\/p>\n

\u201cThey (Nigeria) will lose to Morocco,\u201d Eymael told Flashscore in an exclusive interview when asked to predict the outcome of the game.<\/p>\n

Asked to defend his prediction, the Belgian coach explained: \u201cBefore the AFCON, DR Congo<\/a> beat them (Nigeria), and they will be playing against a very good Morocco side, who are playing their best football so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorocco will be playing at home, the crowd will be behind them, the players know they have to do it (qualify), so it will not be an easy game for Nigeria. <\/p>\n

“The game will not have a huge scoreline, but both teams will score, and Morocco will definitely qualify for the final.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nigeria missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 4-3 on penalties against DR Congo following a tense 1-1 draw in the African play-off final. The defeat saw Nigeria miss out on a second successive edition of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Nigeria too reliant on Osimhen<\/p>\n

The 66-year-old coach, who has vast experience coaching in Africa, further said the overreliance of forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman by Nigeria could haunt them against Morocco like it did against DR Congo.<\/p>\n

\u201cNigeria depends too much on Victor (Osimhen), and Ademola (Lookman), and for example, you can see when the goalkeeper of Chippa United is always giving a long ball, his target is on the two players, Osimhen or Lookman,\u201d explained Eymael, who apart from South Africa, has coached in Kenya, Tanzania, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, and DR Congo.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Morocco manage to close down these two players, and shut them down completely, then Nigeria will have nowhere to hide, they won\u2019t move upfront, they won\u2019t score, and it will be the end of them at AFCON.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, against DR Congo, the two players were completely shut down before Osimhen came out owing to injury. They didn\u2019t shine in the game. If Morocco manage to prevent Osimhen and Lookman from playing properly, Nigeria will not be Nigeria anymore. Nigeria will not be a threat. <\/p>\n

“The third very dangerous player for Nigeria is Alex (Iwobi), who is having a great AFCON.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morocco and Nigeria will face off for the second time in the semis. Nigeria won the previous clash in 1980, triumphing 1-0 with Felix Owolabi scoring the winner in the ninth minute en route to their first AFCON title.<\/p>\n

The two nations met again in 2000 when Nigeria eliminated Morocco in their final Group D game with a 2-0 victory, with Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa scoring for the Super Eagles.<\/p>\n

Their last AFCON meeting came in the group stages in 2004, when Morocco won 1-0 in their opening Group D match, Youssef Hadji scoring the only goal in the 77th minute.<\/p>\n

Follow Nigeria vs Morocco with Flashscore<\/a><\/p>\n

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