Victor Osimhen will lead Nigeria’s Super Eagles against hosts Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following the suspension of team captain Wilfred Ndidi.
The highly anticipated clash will take place on Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
Ndidi was ruled out of the encounter after picking up two yellow cards in Nigeria’s Round of 16 win over Mozambique and the quarter-final victory against Tunisia. Osimhen, who serves as the team’s vice-captain, steps into the leadership role, having previously captained the side during their final group-stage match against Uganda.
Nigeria booked their place in the semi-final with a confident 2–0 win over Algeria, a match in which Osimhen was instrumental, scoring a goal and providing an assist.
South Africa forward Zakhele Lepasa has tipped Nigeria as favourites to lift the trophy, describing the Super Eagles as the most dangerous attacking side left in the competition. He said Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup had increased their determination to prove they remain Africa’s top football nation.
Lepasa noted that Nigeria’s attacking depth, led by Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, has been unmatched, pointing to the team’s 14 goals so far in the tournament. He added that Nigeria’s strong performances had silenced earlier criticism, with the Super Eagles emerging as the competition’s most prolific side.
While acknowledging Morocco’s home advantage, Lepasa questioned whether the hosts had been fully tested, noting their heavy reliance on Brahim Díaz, who has scored five of their nine goals in the tournament.
He said Nigeria’s balanced attacking options give them a clear edge, adding that stopping Osimhen and Lookman would be a major challenge for Morocco.