AFCON: Morocco will knock out Nigeria in semis – says Eymael

Former Chippa United coach Luc Eymael believes Morocco have what it takes to beat Nigeria in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday.

The two sides will face off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with none of them having lost a game so far in the AFCON. Nigeria have won all their five matches while Morocco have won four and drawn one.

According to Eymael, playing behind their fans would give Morocco advantage against a Nigerian side bidding for a fourth AFCON title.

‘Game will not have a huge scoreline’

“They (Nigeria) will lose to Morocco,” Eymael said as quoted by Flashscore. “Before the AFCON, DR Congo beat them (Nigeria), and they will be playing against a very good Morocco side, who are playing their best football so far.

“Morocco will be playing at home, the crowd will be behind them, the players know they have to do it (qualify), so it will not be an easy game for Nigeria.

“The game will not have a huge scoreline, but both teams will score, and Morocco will definitely qualify for the final.”

Eymael added: “Nigeria depends too much on Victor (Osimhen), and Ademola (Lookman), and for example, you can see when the goalkeeper of Chippa United is always giving a long ball, his target is on the two players, Osimhen or Lookman.

“If Morocco manage to close down these two players, and shut them down completely, then Nigeria will have nowhere to hide, they won’t move upfront, they won’t score, and it will be the end of them at AFCON.

“For example, against DR Congo, the two players were completely shut down before Osimhen came out owing to injury. They didn’t shine in the game. If Morocco manage to prevent Osimhen and Lookman from playing properly, Nigeria will not be Nigeria anymore. Nigeria will not be a threat.

“The third very dangerous player for Nigeria is Alex (Iwobi), who is having a great AFCON.”

They meet at the Africa Cup of Nations for the sixth time, with all five previous AFCON meetings producing a winner.