Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo says Nigeria must significantly improve their performance if they are to deny Morocco a place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on home soil.
The Super Eagles face the tournament hosts in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where close to 70,000 supporters are expected to back a Moroccan side ranked number one in Africa and unbeaten at home for several years.
Speaking as an analyst on SuperSport, Ighalo warned that Nigeria cannot rely on the same level that carried them past Algeria in the quarter-finals against a young and confident Atlas Lions team.
“The players must be mentally ready for this match, the top scorer at the 2019 AFCON they will face great pressure against the Moroccan national team.”
Super Eagles. Photo Credit: Getty Images
He highlighted Morocco’s athleticism and technical quality, describing the hosts as quick, agile and comfortable in possession. According to Ighalo, Nigeria will need to exert greater effort than they did in their previous match to cope with both the opposition and the atmosphere.
“If Nigeria wants to win this match, the players must do more than they did against Algeria and silence that stadium, i believe they have the ability to achieve that” he added.
Morocco enter the semi-final as favourites, strengthened by a formidable home record and the confidence of a squad largely unchanged from the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the first African side to achieve the feat.
Ndidi celebrating with his teammates. Photo Credit: Imago
Nigeria, however, have built an impressive campaign of their own. The Super Eagles have won all five of their matches at the tournament and are the highest-scoring team, with 14 goals. Their quarter-final victory over Algeria has been widely regarded as their most complete performance so far.
Wednesday’s contest will renew a long-standing AFCON rivalry. It is the sixth meeting between Nigeria and Morocco at the finals and their first in 22 years.
The last time the sides met at the tournament was in the group stage in 2004, when Morocco secured a 1-0 win through Youssef Hadji. All five previous AFCON meetings between the two nations have produced a winner, with Morocco holding a narrow advantage of three victories to Nigeria’s two.
Nigeria are aiming to become the first team at this tournament to defeat Morocco in front of their own supporters.
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The hosts have grown in confidence with every round, fuelled by home backing and belief that this could finally be their moment to lift the AFCON trophy on Moroccan soil.
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Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 Nigerian time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
