RismadarVoice Reporters
January 14, 2026
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face a stern test on Wednesday as they take on tournament hosts, Morocco, in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations semi-final encounter, with both teams battling for a place in the final.
Playing against host nations at the AFCON has historically been a difficult task for Nigeria, and the clash with Morocco is expected to be no different, given the weight of history and the atmosphere that often favours host countries.
Records show that in their last ten meetings against AFCON host nations, across both group and knockout stages, the Super Eagles have managed just three wins, three draws and four losses.
Nigeria’s first recorded draw against a host nation dates back to the 1978 AFCON, when the Super Eagles played out a stalemate against Ghana. In 1990, Nigeria suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Algeria in the group stage, with the North Africans going on to win the tournament.
At the 2023 AFCON, Nigeria recorded a rare group-stage victory over host nation Côte d’Ivoire, edging the Elephants 1–0, thanks to a penalty converted by then captain, William Troost-Ekong. However, the Super Eagles were unable to repeat that success in the final, losing 2–1 to the Ivorians after taking an early lead through Troost-Ekong’s header.
Another painful memory came in the 1990 AFCON final, when Algeria defeated Nigeria 1–0 in Algiers to lift their first continental title. Nigeria also faced heartbreak at the 2004 tournament in Tunisia, where a 1–1 semi-final draw ended in a penalty shootout defeat against the hosts.
Despite these challenges, Nigeria have recorded notable successes against host nations. In 1992, the Super Eagles defeated Senegal 2–1 in the group stage, while at the 2002 AFCON, Nigeria held Mali to a draw before later defeating the hosts 1–0 in the third-place playoff, with Yakubu Aiyegbeni scoring the decisive goal. That remains Nigeria’s only knockout victory against an AFCON host.
As the Super Eagles prepare to face Morocco, history suggests a tough contest, but the team will be hoping to defy the odds, silence the home crowd and book a place in the final.
All eyes will be on Wednesday’s showdown as Nigeria seek to overcome the host nation hurdle once again.
