AFCON 2025 Semi-Finals Set for January 14th
The 35th Africa Cup of Nations has its four finalists. Senegal will face Egypt, while Morocco will meet Nigeria in two semi-finals scheduled for January 14th. By the end of the evening, Africa will know the two finalists who will attempt to succeed Ivory Coast, eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Senegal vs Egypt: A Rivalry Built on Recent Finals
Senegal-Egypt feels like a reunion between teams who know each other well. Their most memorable recent encounter was the AFCON 2021 final, played in 2022 in Cameroon, where Senegal won its first title after a 0-0 draw and a penalty shootout (4-2).
This match still influences the narrative. For Senegal, it’s proof they can handle pressure and win the tightest games. For Egypt, it remains a reference point and a motivation, with the semi-final offering a chance to respond on a stage both teams respect.
A Long-Standing Rivalry, with the Advantage to Egypt
The two nations first met in the AFCON knockout stage in 1986, with Senegal winning 1-0. Egypt responded in 2000 with the same score. Senegal then beat Egypt 1-0 in 2002, before losing 1-2 in 2006, illustrating how narrow the margins often are.
Across all competitions, the statistics favor Egypt, who have more total wins: eight victories to Senegal’s four. Numbers don’t decide a semi-final, but they highlight Egypt’s long-term consistency and the necessity for Senegal to be efficient in key moments.
What Each Team Seeks in This Semi-Final
Egypt is a regular in the latter stages, having reached the finals of the 2017 and 2021 editions. After being eliminated in the quarter-finals in Abidjan in 2023, they are looking to re-establish their habit of going deep in the tournament.
Senegal, champions for the first time in the 33rd edition, aims to position itself to reach a third final in four editions, after 2019 and 2022. In this sense, this semi-final is also about maintaining a new standard.
Morocco vs Nigeria: The Best Defense Meets the Best Attack
The second semi-final, Morocco-Nigeria, presents a clash of styles. Morocco has the tournament’s best defense, having conceded only one goal, while Nigeria’s defense has let in two. Nigeria, meanwhile, brings the best attack, with 14 goals scored compared to Morocco’s nine.
These numbers suggest a clear tactical contrast. Morocco’s structure has limited opportunities and kept control of matches. Nigeria’s attacking play has produced volume and variety in front of goal. The semi-final will test which identity holds up under maximum pressure.
AFCON History: A Semi-Final Rematch and Past Encounters
This is the second time the two teams have met in an AFCON semi-final. In 1980, Nigeria beat Morocco 1-0, a result still present in the football memory of both nations. Their AFCON meetings also include a 2000 group stage match won 2-0 by Nigeria.
In 2004, the year Morocco last reached the final, they beat Nigeria 2-1. Across all competitions, Morocco has five wins to Nigeria’s three, a reminder that this is not a one-sided rivalry, even when current form seems to lean one way.
Key Players to Watch: Diaz, El Kaabi, Osimhen, Lookman
Individual duels could tip the balance. Moroccan Brahim Diaz arrives as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals in five matches, supported by Ayoub El Kaabi (three goals). Nigeria responds with Victor Osimhen, credited with four goals and two assists, and Ademola Lookman with three goals and four assists.
Beyond the numbers, these are players who can decide a semi-final with a single action. If Morocco’s defense can restrict the supply, Nigeria might be forced to create from deeper positions. If Nigeria presses effectively, Morocco’s build-up play will be tested.
Experience, Pressure, and the Fine Line of Realism
Nigeria’s recent record suggests they know how to get past the semi-final hurdle, reinforced by their presence in the final of the last edition. Morocco, on the other hand, has not reached an AFCON final in over 20 years, the last being in 2004, which adds a different kind of pressure.
Nigeria also carries the desire to show that their elimination in the continental World Cup qualification play-offs was just a temporary setback. In both semi-finals, the likely winner will be the team that converts its chances. Commitment alone is rarely enough to settle matches at this level.