by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Granada CF goalkeeper Luca Zidane has expressed mixed emotions following Algeria’s exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing both the pain of elimination and the pride of representing Les Fennecs on the continental stage.
The son of football icon Zinédine Zidane opted to represent Algeria, the homeland of his grandparents, and was entrusted with the role of first-choice goalkeeper throughout the tournament. Zidane played a key part in Algeria’s AFCON campaign, delivering decisive performances between the posts, although he was unable to stop Nigeria from scoring twice in the quarter-final defeat.
Taking to Instagram after the tournament, Zidane shared an emotional message with Algerian supporters. He admitted that the disappointment of crashing out was overwhelming but paid tribute to the unwavering backing of the fans, describing their support as Algeria’s “greatest weapon” during the competition.
Despite the heartbreak, the 27-year-old emphasized the sense of honour he feels in having worn the Algerian colours.
“Beyond the disappointment, there is something even stronger: pride,” Zidane wrote. “Pride in playing my first Africa Cup of Nations. Pride in wearing this jersey — that of Algeria, the country of my grandparents.”
His message underlined a deep personal connection to Algeria and marked a memorable milestone in his international career.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has sounded a note of caution to his players ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final showdown against Nigeria, identifying three Super Eagles stars as major dangers.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s encounter in Rabat, Regragui highlighted Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi as Nigeria’s key attacking weapons, stressing that the West Africans remain a formidable force despite missing a crucial midfielder.
While acknowledging that the suspension of Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi offers Morocco some advantage, the Atlas Lions coach insisted it does little to diminish Nigeria’s overall threat. Ndidi will sit out the tie after accumulating bookings in the knockout rounds, creating a vacancy in Nigeria’s midfield. However, Regragui believes the quality further up the pitch still requires maximum vigilance.
Osimhen and Lookman have been central to Nigeria’s impressive AFCON campaign, playing decisive roles in most of the team’s goals. Lookman has stood out with his creativity and cutting edge, while Osimhen’s movement and physical presence continue to trouble defenders.
Iwobi, though less prolific in front of goal, has been crucial in dictating play and linking Nigeria’s attack with intelligent positioning and accurate passing.
“Ndidi’s absence gives us some comfort, but with Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, and the depth they have on the bench, Nigeria can easily adapt,” Regragui admitted.
He also urged his side to be more proactive than in earlier matches, warning that a cautious approach could prove costly.
“We must stay focused, win our individual battles, and avoid dropping too deep like we did against Cameroon, because Nigeria can punish you,” he said.
Nigeria are expected to reshuffle their midfield, with Raphael Onyedika likely to step in to cover for Ndidi.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Senegal and Egypt are set to reignite one of African football’s fiercest rivalries when they clash in the AFCON 2025 semi-final, in a fixture that echoes the drama of their unforgettable 2021 final.
According to One Football, both nations will once again be led by their iconic forwards, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, as they battle for a place in Sunday’s final. The meeting carries extra edge following Senegal’s penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the 2021 AFCON final, which delivered the Teranga Lions their first continental crown. That rivalry deepened during World Cup qualification, when Senegal again edged Egypt on penalties after losing the first leg.
The winners of this semi-final will progress to the final to face either Nigeria or Morocco, while the losing side will contest the third-place match. With elite talents such as Mané, Salah, Iliman Ndiaye, and Omar Marmoush on show, expectations are high for another gripping encounter.
Senegal head into the tie in strong condition, reporting no fresh injury concerns. Edouard Mendy is expected to start in goal behind a settled back line, while tactical rotations remain possible in midfield and attack. Mané is likely to keep his place as Senegal target a fourth clean sheet of the tournament.
Egypt booked their semi-final spot after a dramatic five-goal quarter-final win over Ivory Coast. However, Mahmoud Trezeguet remains doubtful and Mohamed Hamdi is ruled out. Salah and Marmoush, both on the scoresheet in the last round, are expected to feature in Hossam Hassan’s preferred 3-4-1-2 system.
While Senegal are viewed as slight favorites, with predictions leaning towards a narrow 1–0 victory, Egypt will be motivated by the desire for revenge.
Historically, the Pharaohs hold a slim advantage in head-to-head meetings, with seven wins to Senegal’s six, along with two draws — a reminder of just how finely balanced this classic African rivalry remains.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has reiterated his confidence ahead of Wednesday night’s AFCON 2025 semi-final showdown against Nigeria, insisting that home advantage could prove decisive.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Regragui said his players are fully prepared for the challenge posed by the Super Eagles, highlighting both the quality within his squad and the influence of Morocco’s passionate supporters.
The Atlas Lions boss stressed that playing on home soil gives his team a significant psychological and tactical edge, warning that the electric atmosphere inside the stadium could disrupt even the most organized opponents. He added that there would be no margin for error at this stage of the competition.
Regragui made it clear that Morocco are approaching the semi-final with belief rather than caution, fully focused on securing victory and booking a place in the final, where either Egypt or Senegal await.
“For us, playing at home at this stage is a great advantage,” Regragui said. “With our fans pushing the team forward, we will beat Nigeria. The atmosphere our supporters create can disorganize Nigeria, no matter how prepared they are. That is a big advantage for us going into the match.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
One of Nigeria’s most influential football voices has ignited the psychological battle ahead of Wednesday’s AFCON 2025 semi-final showdown in Rabat. Segun Odegbami, a key figure in Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, believes Morocco are already feeling the pressure after the Super Eagles’ emphatic 2–0 victory over Algeria.
According to Odegbami, Nigeria’s latest performance has sent a clear message across the tournament. He insists the Atlas Lions are now gripped by anxiety at the prospect of facing a Super Eagles side that is finally hitting top form.
Nigeria’s win over Algeria is widely regarded as their most complete display at AFCON 2025. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring shortly after the restart before turning provider for Akor Adams to secure the result. The victory came against an Algerian team that had won all four of their previous matches, elevating Nigeria’s campaign from steady progress to a full-blown warning to rivals.
Before that statement win, the Super Eagles had already edged past Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique. However, the Algeria result shifted the narrative — and Odegbami believes Morocco, unbeaten and hosting the tournament, have taken notice.
Writing on his Facebook page, the former Nigerian forward said the Moroccans would be deeply unsettled by a Nigerian team that is growing stronger with every match, creating chances freely and finding its rhythm at the perfect time. While he acknowledged the challenge of playing against Morocco in front of a packed 60,000-strong home crowd, Odegbami expressed confidence that the Super Eagles are mentally and physically prepared to overcome the odds and “soar over the Atlas Mountains.”
Morocco enter the semi-final unbeaten in five matches, including a quarter-final victory over Cameroon. Yet Nigeria’s confidence is also rooted in history. The two sides have previously met competitively in Rabat, where Nigeria held Morocco to two goalless draws in 1983 before winning a penalty shootout in the Moroccan capital to qualify for the AFCON finals in Côte d’Ivoire, eventually finishing as runners-up.
Glory and Records at Stake
Beyond the psychological warfare, the semi-final carries major personal and national milestones. Two goals against Morocco would see Victor Osimhen draw level with Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer on 37 international goals. Osimhen currently has 35 goals from just 51 appearances.
Yekini, who passed away in 2012, remains a towering figure in Nigerian football history. Osimhen, first thrust into the global spotlight at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, is now on the brink of joining him at the summit.
He is expected to be supported by Alex Iwobi, Akor Adams, and Ademola Lookman, while Iwobi is set to earn his 96th international cap, closing in on the landmark 100 appearances achieved by Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama. Ahmed Musa remains Nigeria’s most capped international with 111 appearances.
