Sports
AFCON: Super Eagles one step away from history in Morocco
The stage is all set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, semi-final tie between host nation Morocco and Nigeria on Wednesday night.
The AFCON semi-final tie will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, at 9 pm Nigerian time.
Wednesday’s semi-final tie will be the sixth time both teams have faced each other at the AFCON.
Morocco leads the head-to-head with three wins to Nigeria’s two, and the last time both sides met at the AFCON was 22 years ago, in the group stage of the 2004 edition, where the Atlas Lions defeated the Super Eagles 1-0, thanks to Mustapha Hadji’s goal.
However, Nigeria and Morocco are the two most in-form teams at the ongoing AFCON so far.
The Super Eagles enter the match as the team to beat, having won all their last five games against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria, respectively.
They have scored 14 goals, the highest for any team in the tournament so far, thanks to the contribution of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Raphael Onyedika and Semi Ajayi.
The Super Eagles, who boast the best attack team, will be aiming for their ninth AFCON final overall, and only their second consecutive appearance in the final in Nigeria’s history.
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle will be without his captain, Wilfred Ndidi through suspension, after the former Leicester City midfielder picked up a second yellow card in the quarter-final win against Algeria.
On their part, Morocco arrive in the semi-finals having won four of their last five matches.
The Atlas Lions have relied heavily on Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz for goals.
Diaz has scored in five consecutive matches, with his five goals accounting for more than half of the team’s tournament total of nine.
Morocco boasts the tournament’s best defensive record so far, as they have conceded just one goal.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui will be without Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi against Nigeria due to a persistent calf injury.
DAILY POST reports that the Super Eagles will aim to redeem themselves, having finished runner-up in the last edition of the AFCON in Ivory Coast and later failing to secure the 2026 World Cup ticket following their defeat to DR Congo in the qualifying playoff final.
Morocco, on the other hand, hopes to count on the home supporters against Nigeria and to advance to the final for the third time in their history.
Speaking with DAILY POST ahead of the Wednesday clash, respected Lagos-based journalist, Femi Fabunmi, offered his opinion on the match between Nigeria and Morocco.
He insisted that the Chelle’s side will defeat Morocco and qualify for the AFCON final because of their impressive performances so far, and they have squad depth.
“The Super Eagles are by far the best team in this AFCON. They have squad depth and a perfect replacement for every player in all departments on the field,” Fabunmi told DAILY POST.
“Their performances so far have shown that as well. With the way they have been playing, they will definitely defeat Morocco and qualify for the final,” he said.
When asked for his prediction, Fabunmi added, “3-1 in favour of Nigeria.”
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The Premier League has explained why Calum Wilson’s late goal for West Ham against Arsenal was ruled out by VAR. Arsenal were heading to a 1-0 win thanks to Leandro Trossard’s late strike when Wilson forced the ball home. Although the goal was awarded on the pitch, the referee was advised to review it on the on-field screen. The goal was eventually ruled out, and Arsenal went five points clear of Manchester City with two games left. The Premier League match centre stated: “West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is a direct free kick.”
Key Points:
Arsenal’s five-point lead with two games left puts them firmly in control of the title race.
The VAR decision will fuel debate among fans already divided on the use of technology.
West Ham’s relegation survival hopes suffered a massive blow from the overturned goal.
The clear explanation from the Premier League may reduce conspiracy theories about favouritism.
The timing of this statement, immediately after the match, shows the league’s commitment to transparency.
Sources: Premier League, EPL
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Barcelona have been crowned back-to-back Spanish champions after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clásico, moving 14 points clear at the top with three games remaining. Two early goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres were all Barcelona needed on a day when manager Hansi Flick was present on the sidelines despite the death of his father being announced shortly before kickoff. The result marks just the second time in LaLiga history that a Clásico result has directly led to one of the two teams winning the title. Barcelona have now won LaLiga three of the last four years.
Key Points:
Barcelona’s domestic dominance is restored with three league titles in four seasons under Flick.
Real Madrid ended a second straight season without a single trophy across all competitions.
Flick coaching through personal grief to secure the title adds emotional weight to the victory.
The 2-0 win extends Barcelona’s scoring streak to 55 straight league games.
The timing of this title, clinched directly against their fiercest rivals, makes the celebration even sweeter for fans.
Sources: ESPN, Marca
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Arsenal took a giant step towards the Premier League title with a dramatic 1-0 win at West Ham. Leandro Trossard scored a late winner, but the real drama came in stoppage time when Callum Wilson thought he had equalised for the hosts.
Following an agonisingly lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, a West Ham player was deemed to be impeding him by holding his arm. The result means Arsenal remain five points clear with two games remaining, while West Ham remain in relegation trouble.
Key Points:
Arsenal’s five-point lead with two games left puts them firmly in control of the title race.
Trossard ending his goal drought at the perfect moment could be the turning point in Arsenal’s season.
The controversial VAR decision will fuel debate about refereeing standards in title-deciding matches.
West Ham’s survival hopes suffered a massive blow after having a stoppage-time equaliser snatched away.
The timing of the win, after Manchester City’s victory over Brentford, keeps the pressure on both title contenders.
Sources: Goal
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