Then there were four.
Four heavyweights. Twelve continental titles.
Africa’s football giants — three-time champions Nigeria, hosts Morocco, seven-time champions Egypt and 2021 champions Senegal — are chasing continental glory as the blockbuster semi-final line-up for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, January 14.
Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal sealed their places in the last four after the quarter-final matches were completed on Saturday night.
Hosts Morocco will play a star-studded Nigeria while Senegal, who were the first to advance to the semi-finals, will face Egypt.
Nigeria vs Morocco
Nigeria’s semi-final clash with Morocco rekindles an AFCON’s rivalry. It will be their 12th meeting in the competition, with Morocco holding the upper hand — six wins to Nigeria’s three, with two draws. Morocco’s defeated Nigeria in the tournament nearly 50 years ago at the 1976 AFCON in Addis Ababa, when the Atlas Lions secured their first – and only – continental crown. While the Super Eagles defeated the Atlas Lions 1–0 in the 1980 semifinal on their way to winning their maiden AFCON title.
Now hosting on home soil, Morocco will hope to end the Super Eagles quest for a fourth AFCON title. This is Nigeria’s third direct knockout match against a host nation, having previously lost to Tunisia on penalties in the 2004 semi-finals and to Ghana in the 2008 quarterfinals.
Senegal vs Egypt
The Senegal–Egypt semifinal is another storied rivalry. This is their sixth AFCON meeting, and their second-ever semi-final clash. Each team has won two games, with one previous draw. Three of those clashes came in the group stages — in 1986, 2000 and 2002 — while their 2006 match was in the semi-finals.
The Pharaohs will be gunning for revenge after two heartbreaking losses to the Teranga Lions in recent times. First came the 2021 AFCON final in Yaoundé, decided on penalties, where Senegal claimed their first title and denied Egypt an eighth. The Teranga Lions then repeated the heartbreak in the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff — again via a penalty shootout.
Notably, the winner of a knockout meeting between Senegal and Egypt has gone on to lift the trophy — in both 2006 and 2021.
Road to the semis
Seven-time champions Egypt claimed the final ticket to the last four after knocking out defending champions Côte d’Ivoire 3–2 in a thrilling encounter, ending the Elephants’ reign.
Earlier, Senegal booked their spot with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Mali, Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half strike proving decisive in a tense West African derby.
Hosts Morocco remain firmly on course for a first continental title in nearly 50 years after a composed 2–0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat. Goals from Brahim Díaz and Ismaël Saibari showcased their balance of attacking flair and defensive discipline.
Nigeria defeated Algeria 2–0 in Marrakech.
Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock after a tense opening spell before Akor Adams sealed the win late on, confirming Nigeria’s return to the last four and setting up a blockbuster clash with the hosts.
The AFCON 2025 final will be played in Rabat on Sunday, January 18.
