AFCON 2025: What Chelle said about Morocco’s best player Diaz and Nigeria’s plans for penalty

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has played down the need for a special plan to stop Morocco’s star man Brahim Diaz as the Super Eagles prepare for their biggest test yet at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

Speaking in Rabat on the eve of the last-four clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Chelle struck a calm, confident tone despite the scale of the task facing his side against the host nation and one of the tournament’s most in-form players.

Diaz, the Real Madrid forward, has been one of the stories of the competition.

He is a leading candidate for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award after becoming the first player this century to score in each of the first five games at an AFCON. His form has made him the central figure in Morocco’s title push, and the main threat Nigeria must contain.

Yet Chelle insists there will be no individual ‘anti-Diaz' plan.

When asked directly about a specific strategy to neutralise the Moroccan star, the Franco-Malian coach responded with a smile, making it clear that his focus is on Morocco as a collective force rather than one outstanding individual.

Chelle insists the Moroccan threat is not limited to just one player. The former Mali national team boss prefers to focus on the strength of his own team, noting that Morocco are “a complete, structured and dangerous team at all levels of the game” and that only a collective Nigerian performance can deal with them.

That same calm extended to the prospect of penalties.

The Super Eagles lost a World Cup intercontinental playoff spot to DR Congo in November via a penalty shootout defeat.

Asked about Nigeria’s preparations for a shootout in case the Morocco game extends beyond extra-time, Chelle joked:

“I will go to the mosque to pray to win if we get to a penalty shootout.”

Behind the humour, however, lies the understanding that this semi-final, between two of Africa’s most in-form sides, could be decided by the finest of margins.

Chelle admitted the contest would be fiercely contested.

“We are ready to play a great match that will mark this Africa Cup of Nations,” he said, describing Morocco as a “great team” with “very good players capable of making the difference.”

“To get a good result against Morocco, you have to be 100% ready and leave nothing to chance. We have to be physically and mentally present to hope to achieve a positive result.”

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Ndidi blow, but Nigeria arrive in Rabat full of belief

Nigeria arrive in Rabat with momentum, confidence, and one notable absence.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria, having also been booked in the round-of-16 win against Mozambique.

Chelle admitted the loss is significant.

“This absence is disappointing for us, because he brings a lot to the team,” he said, adding that “despite his absence, we will continue to play well and produce quality.”

Raphael Onyedika is expected to step into Ndidi’s role. The Club Brugge midfielder has already shown his impact at this tournament, scoring twice on his first appearance against Uganda.

Nigeria’s confidence is rooted in a formidable AFCON campaign. The three-time champions have won all five of their matches so far, scoring 14 goals and conceding only four.

They opened with a 2-1 win over Tanzania, followed by a dramatic 3-2 victory against Tunisia.

A rotated side then beat Uganda 3-1, before a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in the round of 16. Their title credentials were displayed in the quarter-finals with a commanding 2-0 win over Algeria, one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have led the attack superbly, supported by Alex Iwobi and Akor Adams, while Chelle’s side have also tightened defensively, keeping clean sheets in their last two matches after conceding in their first three.