Checkout EIGHT memorable encounters between Nigeria and Morocco before 2025 AFCON showdown

Ahead of the epic semifinal clash between Nigeria and Morocco inside the 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday, Softfootball takes a look at eight memorable matches between these two powerhouses.

Nigeria outclassed Algeria 2-0 to reach the semifinal of the competition while the Atlas Lions eliminated Cameroon with a 2-0 scoreline in a keenly contested encounter, showing their ability of coping well against physically built West African sides.

Interestingly, the last time Nigeria faced North Africans in consecutives knockout matches at AFCON they went on to win the competition.  Nigeria beat Morocco in the semifinal of AFCON before going ahead to demolish Algeria 3-0 in the final to claim their first ever title on home soil.

Nigeria have scored 158 goals in their 109 matches in AFCON history, and have lost only four of their last 23 matches in the competition, including last term’s Final against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.

However, Morocco won’t be pushovers as the current squad have Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, as well as three-goal Ayoub El Kaabi, captain Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Ismael Saibari and Azzedine Ounahi.

Incase you missed the goals from the quarter-final matches, here are highlighted as shared via CAF’s official X handle. Watch below.

Ten goals across four matches. Enjoy every goal from the quarter-finals, presented to you by @Danone. 🫶#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/LUCz5ZN8eE

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 11, 2026

Softfootball presents the eight memorable encounters between Nigeria and Morocco.

Morocco Vs Nigeria (Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games Qualifier, Dakar)

After both teams were stalemated in two legs of the qualifying series (Nigeria won 3-0 in Lagos and Morocco won 4-1 in Casablanca), world football-governing body, FIFA, ruled that there had to be a one-leg playoff to determine the winner. It was the period before the away-goal-counts-double principle. Asuquo Ekpe, with a brace, and ‘wonderboy’ Paul Hamilton accounted for the defeat of Morocco in Lagos. Hamilton scored Nigeria’s only goal in the return leg in Casablanca. However, the Atlas Lions edged the tie in Dakar and took the ticket.

Morocco Vs Nigeria (1976 Africa Cup of Nations, Addis Ababa)

A young, talented, driven and agile Nigeria team had stunned Cup holders Zaire (now DR Congo) 4-2 in their first match at the continental finals in Ethiopia. However, they fell 1-3 to the Atlas Lions in their third game, after a 1-0 win over Sudan. The wins over Zaire and Sudan qualified the Eagles for the final round of a tournament that remains the only one till date to have been played on league basis. In that final round, they came up against Morocco again. Baba Otu Mohammed scored just before the hour but Ahmed Faras and Redouane El Guezzar won it for Morocco with late goals. Morocco emerged champions while the Eagles, who defeated Egypt 3-2 in their final game, took bronze.

Nigeria Vs Morocco (1976 Olympics Qualifying Match, Lagos)

Only three weeks after the disappointment of Addis Ababa, the opportunity presented itself for the Eagles to exact their revenge on the Atlas Lions. In a Montreal Olympics qualifying match at the National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria swept to a commanding 3-1 win thanks to a brace from Thompson Usiyen and a goal by Kelechi ‘Caterpillar’ Emeteole. Nigeria lost the return by a lone goal, and qualified for Montreal. However, the Government of Nigeria led an African boycott of the Games as a result of host nation Canada’s dalliance with New Zealand, which had sporting ties with apartheid South Africa.

Nigeria Vs Morocco (1980 AFCON semifinal, Lagos)

The Green Eagles were flying high in the first AFCON to be hosted by Nigeria, and the Atlas Lions could not stop them, as Felix Owolabi lashed in the only goal early in the semifinal encounter at the National Stadium, Lagos to set the stage for a Nigeria, Algeria Final, which the Eagles won to claim their first AFCON title.

Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 AFCON qualifying match, Rabat)

After a scoreless draw in Benin City, Nigeria and Morocco again ended it 0-0 in the return in Rabat, necessitating a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties and qualified for Cote d’Ivoire 1984.

Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 Olympics Qualifying Match, Casablanca)

Both teams had again ended the first leg in Lagos 0-0, and the same result was returned in Casablanca in the race to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Morocco won 4-3 and qualified to the next round.

The current Super Eagles players really took note to how the former team brought light and smiles to fans with each goal celebrations as seen in this video shared via CAF’s official X handle. Watch below.

Football heritage. Akor and Bassey know Okocha's proud. 🇳🇬🤍#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/oHys1fTK7c

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

Nigeria Vs Morocco (2000 Africa Cup of Nations, Lagos)

Goals by Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa gave Nigeria victory and qualification to the quarter-finals of the AFCON finals they co-hosted with Ghana, setting up a clash with the Teranga Lions of Senegal.

Morocco Vs Nigeria (2014 African Nations Championship, Cape Town)

Morocco took the game by the scruff from the first blast of the whistle and sped to a 3-0 lead after 45 minutes at the Cape Town Stadium. However, Nigeria, coached by Stephen Keshi (of blessed memory) returned from recess a different proposition, and drew level before winning in extra time to qualify for the semifinals.