The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached the semifinal stage, and the Super Eagles are one of the four teams left in the competition. The other teams remaining are Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal.
Nigeria has been one of the top teams at the tournament, dominating every single game they have played. They have also scored the most goals (13) in the competition so far.
However, the other semifinalists are African big boys in their own right. All of them have won the title at least once, and they have performed well throughout this tournament.
A historic first at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025. ✨
CAF Player of the Year winners are present across all four semi-finalists. Every one since 2017. pic.twitter.com/bXm3POD3bH
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 12, 2026
Nigeria are experts at reaching the AFCON semifinals. In fact, the Super Eagles have reached this stage of the competition on 16 occasions.
However, a trophy is not set in stone; out of those previous 16 appearances in the semifinals, they have gone on to win the competition just three times. Clearly, they are not invincible.
Going into this round, all the countries appear to be evenly matched based on their performances so far. As such, it could result in yet another semifinal exit for the team if they aren't careful.
Still, Nigerian fans will remain hopeful that things will pan out in their favor.
Up next for Eric Chelle and his boys is a clash against hosts Morocco at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Wednesday, which promises to be a tough encounter.
If the Super Eagles survive that test, they will face the winner of the game between Egypt and Senegal in the final.
But in this article, let's examine which of the other three counties could potentially knock out the Super Eagles.
Super Eagles Biggest Threat At AFCON 2025 – Experts Share Their Opinions
Of the three teams left in the tournament, Nigeria will only play two － in the final or the third-place game. But the Super Eagles' immediate hurdle is Morocco.
We face the host nation for a place in the FINAL!#Naija4TheWin pic.twitter.com/6wIkQwhFgx
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 13, 2026
For all intents and purposes, hosts Morocco are formidable opponents. It is important to note that Rabat will be fully Red on Wednesday, as the Moroccan fans are expected to turn up in their thousands.
The Atlas Lions will definitely have a 12th man in the stands. Furthermore, given the way some referees have performed in this tournament and CAF's close relationship with the host nation, they might even benefit from a 13th man on the pitch.
ACL reporter Samuel Areo has been in Morocco to witness all of the action, and he believes this will be key for them.
“I think the hosts are the biggest threat to Nigeria's quest for Nigeria's title. A lot of persons have said that they are not that good and they've not really been tested,” Samuel said.
“But the crowd support is usually massive and our record against hosts is somewhat on the negative. We've lost more games against AFCON hosts than wins.
“I think it's going to be tough, but with the sort of momentum we have, we can scale through and probably go all the way.”
Beyond the external factors, the Atlas Lions have been brilliant. Brahim Diaz has grabbed the tournament by the scruff of its neck, boasting a handsome five-goal haul so far.
Players like Ismael Saibari, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Noussair Mazraoui, to mention a few, have also been outstanding.
The Moroccans like to press, force mistakes from their opponents, recycle possession, and attack through the wings.
However, multi-media journalist Tosin Holmes, who has been following the tournament keenly, believes the Atlas Lions have a soft underbelly.
”Morocco have struggled against teams who are more physical than they are. They have compensated for that by getting ultra-aggressive and also through the friendliness of the arbiter's whistle,” Tosin said.
”Their vulnerability lies in the absence of Azzedine Ounahi in midfield and, to a degree, their occasional lack of organizational cohesion when transitioning from midfield to defense,” Tosin added.
Alex Iwobi has been immense in Nigeria's transition from defense to attack in this tournament. But Tosin says that if Morocco coach Walid Regragui finds a way to neutralize the Fulham man from the game, it could be the ultimate game-changer.
”One of Nigeria's biggest advantages all tournament has been the ability to take the lead,” Tosin noted.
“Morocco, their semifinal opponents, have the same distinction. If the Lions score first, they will take some stopping. Their ability to sit deep and invite the opponent to break down a low block is a strength.
”The question is whether there will be shackles on Alex Iwobi to deprive him of service. If Regragui deploys a man to make that ultimate sacrifice, the Lions could stop the Eagles.”
It is important to note, however, that Senegal and Egypt also present significant threats to Nigeria's quest for a fourth AFCON title.
The Pharaohs of Egypt have grown with every game. They hold the record for the most titles (7) and have shown different layers to their play.
While they don't have as many big names as the other remaining teams, they are mentality monsters banking on their status as the most successful nation in the competition's history.
(Photo by Imago)
Tosin believes Nigeria could find joy against them, but their pedigree remains the X-factor.
”Egypt have what it takes to cause Nigeria problems. The Pharaohs edged a pre-tournament friendly, though the Eagles did not have their key attacking weapons then,” Tosin noted.
”Egypt's defense is their weakness; the Pharaohs concede at an alarming rate, and the Super Eagles will get a lot of joy and opportunities to put them away. But Hossam Hassan is a multiple-time AFCON winner as a player and coach, and their heart of a champion cannot be undersold.”
But above all, he sees Senegal as the Super Eagles' biggest threat in Morocco.
”Senegal are Nigeria's biggest scourge. They boast a midfield capable of stymieing the Eagles and can endure for just as long, patiently biding their time to strike given the talent they have in attack.
”The Lions of Teranga have also made a habit of coming back and scoring second-half goals. Coach Pape Thiaw knows his onions and won't hide when Eric Chelle brings out his chessboard.”
”Absolutely no one can defeat the Super Eagles” – Soccernet Chief Editor Ayomide Oguntimehin
While other experts believe the other teams are major threats to the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng Chief Editor Ayomide Oguntimehin thinks no one comes close.
He believes that Nigeria has hands-down been the best team at AFCON 2025 so far and that no team should be able to pose a challenge—provided the officiating is fair.
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”Well, I’ve seen Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal’s games, and I see no one — absolutely no one — stopping the Super Eagles,” Ayomide said.
”This is not being sentimental as a Nigerian. The three attackers the country has are the best in Africa right now, jointly making 13 goal contributions at this AFCON.
”Not only that, the fluidity of the attackers, the areas covered, the 1v1 battles, the pressing, the build-up play — they are all unique. The only thing that would make Morocco a tough nut to crack is their home advantage and an ‘un-brave’ AFCON official failing to make the right calls.”
It has been 13 years since Nigeria's last AFCON triumph. None of the players in this team has experienced the glory of winning the tournament.
For some of them, this might just be their last chance. As such, they will be looking to make a difference this year.
In this tournament, the Super Eagles have showed signs of a great team. It will be wonderful if they leave Morocco with the title.
