The match promises to be one of the tournament's most intense fixtures, pitting two powerhouse nations against each other in a high-stakes battle for continental supremacy. Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, enters the semi-final in formidable form, having maintained a 100% record through five matches and emerging as the competition's most prolific scorers with 14 goals. Key contributions from stars like Victor Osimhen (who will captain the side) and Ademola Lookman have propelled the Super Eagles forward, following a clinical 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria. However, they face a major setback with the suspension of midfielder Wilfred Ndidi due to accumulated yellow cards.
Morocco, buoyed by passionate home support, secured their semi-final berth with a composed 2-0 win over Cameroon in the quarter-finals. Goals from Brahim Díaz — who has been in scintillating form, scoring in five consecutive matches — and Ismaël Saibari highlighted the Atlas Lions' attacking flair and defensive solidity. Coach Walid Regragui's side is chasing Morocco's first AFCON title since 1976, and the electric atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is expected to make it a daunting challenge for the visitors.
CAF's selection of Laryea as center referee underscores confidence in his ability to manage high-pressure games with composure and consistency. The 38-year-old Ghanaian, born on September 11, 1987, in Accra, has risen steadily through the ranks since starting his refereeing career at age 17 in Ghana's lower divisions. He officiated his first Ghana Premier League match in 2012 and earned FIFA international status in 2014. Laryea has handled prestigious continental fixtures, including matches in the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, and previous AFCON editions (2021 in Cameroon and 2023 in Ivory Coast). He has also served in VAR roles, such as during the 2023 African Nations Championship opener.
At AFCON 2025, this marks Laryea's second assignment after overseeing Burkina Faso's 1-0 group-stage defeat to Algeria in December 2025. His reputation for fair, structured officiating — penalizing indiscipline firmly while maintaining calm authority — makes him a fitting choice for this knockout showdown.
Assisting Laryea on the field will be a multinational team: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela (South Africa) and Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho) as assistant referees, with Arsenio Chadreque Maringule (Mozambique) serving as the fourth official. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) crew includes lead VAR Abongile Tom (South Africa), supported by Haythem Guirat (Tunisia) and Stephen Onyango Yiembe (Kenya). Lidya Tafesse Abebe (Ethiopia) has been appointed as referee assessor, ensuring oversight and adherence to CAF standards.
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 69,500, stands as one of the flagship venues of AFCON 2025. Fully rebuilt and modernized in recent years (inaugurated in September 2025), it features a football-specific layout without an athletics track, advanced media facilities, VIP areas, and top-tier infrastructure. It has previously hosted major events like AFCON 1988, FIFA Club World Cups (2014 and 2022), the 2019 African Games, and the 2022 Women's AFCON. As the designated venue for the tournament final on January 18, 2026, it will provide a fitting stage for this semi-final, where home advantage could prove decisive for Morocco.
Historically, Nigeria and Morocco have met five times in AFCON, with all encounters producing a winner — Morocco holding a slight edge with three victories to Nigeria's two. This semi-final revives memories of intense rivalries, adding extra intrigue to the contest.
The winner advances to the final against the victor of the other semi-final between Senegal and Egypt (scheduled earlier on the same day in Tangier). With the tournament reaching its climax, CAF's emphasis on experienced, balanced officiating teams reflects efforts to maintain integrity amid past controversies in the knockout stages.
Fans across Africa and beyond are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling night of football, where tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and refereeing decisions could determine the outcome. As the Super Eagles aim for a record-extending ninth final appearance and Morocco seeks glory on home soil, all eyes will be on Rabat.
For official updates and live coverage, follow CAF's channels. The match underscores AFCON's status as Africa's premier sporting spectacle, uniting the continent in passion and competition.
