Super Eagles assistant captain Victor Osimhen has conceded that Morocco will enjoy a significant advantage when both sides meet in Wednesday night’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in front of a packed home crowd, but insists Nigeria possess the quality and experience to reach the final.
The Galatasaray striker, who is set to lead the team in the absence of suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi, spoke candidly about the challenge facing the three-time African champions as they prepare to take on the Atlas Lions on Moroccan soil, where the hosts have been buoyed by overwhelming public support throughout the tournament.
“They have a very good squad, talented players, but I think we are one of the most feared teams in this tournament,” Osimhen told CBS Sports Golazo in an interview shared on social media on Tuesday. “Considering the kind of talents we have in the squad, I think there is no pressure in the camp. We don’t even talk about the Morocco team in the camp; we just take one game as they come.”
The former Napoli forward pointed to Nigeria’s impressive quarter-final victory over Algeria as evidence that the Super Eagles have the mentality and technical ability to compete for the trophy. That result, which ended the Desert Foxes’ campaign, has been widely regarded as one of the standout performances of the tournament and has reinforced belief within the Nigerian camp that a fourth continental title is within reach.
“We just played a very big nation, Algeria, and we just displayed something that the whole world sees that these guys are really up for the trophy,” Osimhen said.
However, the 26-year-old striker acknowledged that Morocco’s status as tournament hosts presents a formidable obstacle, particularly given the vocal support the Atlas Lions have enjoyed in their matches so far. Morocco have not lost a competitive home fixture in years, and the atmosphere inside Moroccan stadiums during the 2025 AFCON has been among the most intimidating on the continent.
“But of course it’s not going to be easy because the Moroccans are playing in thousands in front of their crowd, which is an advantage for them,” Osimhen admitted.
Despite this, the Nigerian talisman dismissed suggestions that the Super Eagles would be overawed by the occasion or the environment, emphasising that many players in the squad regularly perform in some of the most demanding football arenas in Europe and beyond.
“I think many of us here in the Super Eagles have played in stadiums where there is 80, 90 [thousand] capacity,” he said. “So for me, personally, there is absolutely no pressure. I just focus on my team, and when the day of the match comes, we just give everything and hope for the win. It’s not going to be easy, but I think we’ve got a chance.”
Osimhen’s comments reflect a measured confidence within the Nigerian camp as the team prepares for what is widely expected to be one of the most fiercely contested matches of the tournament.
The semi-final represents a clash between two of Africa’s most decorated football nations, with Nigeria seeking to add to their AFCON titles from 1980, 1994, and 2013, while Morocco aim to claim their second continental crown, having last won the trophy in 1976.
