Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that Nigeria could be taken all the way to penalties when they face hosts Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals.
Only one match at the tournament has so far been decided from the spot the last-16 tie between Mali and Tunisia but Chelle believes anything is possible against the Atlas Lions with a place in the final at stake. Nigeria’s recent experience with penalties remains fresh, following their shoot-out loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 World Cup CAF playoff in November.
Asked if the team was preparing for a potential penalty shootout, Chelle responded: “I will go to the mosque to pray to win if we get to a penalty shootout.” Victory, whether within 90 minutes or via penalties, would set up a final clash against either Senegal or Egypt on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has highlighted the biggest threat in the Moroccan team, singling out attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz. Awaziem, who plays his club football with Nantes, warned that Nigeria must be particularly cautious of the Real Madrid star, who has been in devastating form throughout the tournament.
READ ALSO: Mbah Defends South East Shift to APC, Endorses Tinubu
Diaz currently leads the AFCON 2025 scoring chart with five goals, having scored in every match he has played so far, making him one of the standout performers of the competition. “We know Brahim Diaz is a dangerous player. We need to watch him carefully,” Awaziem said. “We’ll try not to let him play the way he likes because we know how dangerous he can be.”
Despite the challenge, the centre-back remains confident in Nigeria’s ability to handle elite opponents. “We have already faced some really big players, and we managed to stop them before. I think the players all know what they need to do,” he added.
As Nigeria prepares for Wednesday night’s semi-final clash, the team is focused on containing Morocco’s key threats while aiming to secure a spot in the final. With high stakes and a potential penalty shootout looming, both Chelle and his players acknowledge the pressure but remain optimistic about their chances against the tournament hosts.
The Super Eagles’ approach highlights a blend of tactical preparation and mental resilience, with key players ready to rise to the occasion in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final encounter in AFCON 2025.
