Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has identified Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi as the primary dangers to his side’s championship ambitions ahead of Wednesday night’s semi-final clash. Speaking during his pre-match briefing at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the 50-year-old tactician acknowledged the formidable quality within the Nigerian ranks despite the absence of Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi.
The Leicester City veteran serves a one-match suspension following a second yellow card in the quarter-final victory over Algeria, a situation Regragui believes provides a tactical opening for the host nation.
The Atlas Lions manager remains cautious, however, noting that Nigeria’s deep roster allows them to maintain a world-class level even without their primary midfield anchor. Technical reports suggest that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika will occupy the vacant defensive midfield role to provide balance alongside the creative Alex Iwobi. Regragui emphasized that the individual brilliance of Osimhen and Lookman, who have spearheaded the tournament’s most prolific attack, requires his defense to maintain peak concentration for the full ninety minutes.
“Ndidi’s absence will help us. But when you have Osimhen, Lookman, and Iwobi, and when you see their bench, they might change their plan, although I consider that unlikely,” Regragui told journalists on Tuesday.
Both footballing heavyweights enter the final four with significant momentum and nearly unblemished records. Nigeria secured their spot in the semi-finals by dismantling North African rivals Algeria 2-0, while Morocco advanced with a resilient victory over Ivory Coast. The Super Eagles currently lead the competition with 14 goals, but they now face the most disciplined defensive unit in the tournament, as Morocco has conceded only a single goal throughout their home campaign.
The 9:00 PM West Africa Time kickoff represents a monumental crossroads for both nations, as the winner will face either Senegal or Egypt in the 2025 grand finale. While Regragui aims to exploit Ndidi’s absence, he understands that Nigeria’s bench features high-caliber talents capable of altering the game’s tempo at a moment’s notice. As the 65,000-capacity stadium in Rabat prepares for one of the most anticipated matches in AFCON history, the tactical battle between Regragui’s structured organization and Nigeria’s explosive attacking trio will define who moves one step closer to continental glory.
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