Nigeria Face Morocco in AFCON 2026 Semi-Final Showdown Today

Nigeria’s pursuit of a fourth TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations title reaches a critical juncture on Wednesday, as the Super Eagles take on hosts Morocco in a semi-final clash at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

With kick-off set for 9pm local time (20:00 GMT), the Super Eagles enter the match in imperious form, having won all five of their games in the tournament so far.

Morocco remain unbeaten as well, with four victories and a draw, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter.

This meeting is the sixth Africa Cup of Nations clash between the two nations, and their first in 22 years.

Historically, encounters have been decisive: Morocco claimed the two early meetings in 1976, while Nigeria triumphed in 1980 and 2000.

Their most recent AFCON meeting came in 2004, when Morocco edged Nigeria 1-0 in the group stage.

The only previous semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco was in 1980, when a ninth-minute strike from Felix Owolabi secured a 1-0 win for the Super Eagles, ultimately helping Nigeria lift their first continental trophy.

Nigeria’s record against host nations at the AFCON is mixed. Across ten matches, they have registered three wins, three draws and four defeats.

In knockout games specifically, the Super Eagles have won just once in five attempts, with losses both in regular play and on penalties emphasising the challenge of facing the hosts.

This semi-final will be Nigeria’s third direct knockout clash with a host nation, adding further intrigue to an already tense encounter.

Nigeria will be hoping history repeats itself from 1980 as they aim to navigate the pressures of playing against the host and advance to the AFCON 2026 final.

SAGE Nexus Hub CEO Pushes AI Awareness, Unveils Plans to Train 500 Bayelsa Youths

SAGE Nexus Hub founder, Onowode Tobore Derick, has restated his commitment to equipping young people across Bayelsa State with digital and innovation skills, insisting that technology is “ the now big thing ” and young creatives must seize the opportunities it offers. Speaking on Tuesday at the Bayelsa Creatives Converse (BCC) 2.0, held at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Tobore announced the progress of the ongoing TechForward Bayelsa programme, an initiative aimed at training 500 young people in digital skills by the end of 2026. He said the first cohort of 50 participants had successfully completed their training, with another 50 set to resume in January 2026. The programme, he noted, covers artificial intelligence, digital marketing, software engineering, graphic design and a range of emerging tech skills. Tobore explained that the training sits at the heart of SAGE Nexus Hub’s wider mission of nurturing the next generation of innovators. The Yenagoa-based hub provides co-working ...

Bayelsa Acquires Two Aircraft for Commercial Operations

Bayelsa State has taken a major step towards boosting air travel and economic activity as it acquires two aircraft for commercial flight operations at the Bayelsa International Airport . Governor Douye Diri disclosed the acquisition on Monday when he received the Prime Minister of the State of Africa in Diaspora , Dr. Tin Louise-George , at Government House, Yenagoa , during his maiden visit to Nigeria . Diri stated that the aircraft, already procured by the state government, would soon arrive and begin daily flights between Yenagoa, Lagos , and Abuja , adding that the move was aimed at making the state-owned airport more viable and self-sustaining. " We are working on ensuring regular, daily flights from Yenagoa to Lagos and Abuja. We had an arrangement with a private airline that became unsustainable, leaving the airport underutilised. Now, we have taken the bull by the horn. Two aircraft have been acquired and will soon begin commercial operations ," the Governor said. A...

New Recruits in Bayelsa Information Ministry Told to Embrace Professionalism

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, has charged newly recruited Information Officers to approach their roles with professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to public service. Addressing the fresh employees on Friday during her maiden meeting with them in Yenagoa, Koku-Obiyai said their appointment was a demonstration of the state government’s resolve to strengthen its information machinery and ensure a more effective, result-driven public service. Describing the opportunity as a rare privilege, she urged the recruits to justify the confidence reposed in them by embracing diligence, discipline and a strong work ethic, while warning that the Ministry would not tolerate lateness, absenteeism or any form of indiscipline. The Commissioner further revealed plans to introduce in-house training, particularly in areas such as Public Relations and media engagement, to enhance their capacity and performance. Also speaki...

Search This Blog