After fairly a knockout stage to this point, 4 groups stay within the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco set to play within the semifinals on Wednesday. Morocco could have been among the many favorites to win the match with it happening of their dwelling nation, however given the performances of others round them, this might be no cakewalk regardless of the recent type of Brahim Diaz, who has 5 objectives in 5 video games performed to paved the way for the Golden Boot.
Morocco might be one among Africa’s representatives on the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, alongside Senegal and Egypt, however for Nigeria, after failing to qualify for the World Cup, they will be throwing every little thing that they will at being cChampions of Africa. With 4 objectives and two assists, Victor Osimhen is doing every little thing that he can to push Nigeria ahead, together with the three objectives and two assists that Ademola Lookman has offered too. Defensively, this facet has some questions, however in terms of going ahead, there will not be a workforce on the continent that may beat them in a shootout.
Senegal vs. Egypt
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 12 p.m. ET (beIN Sports activities and Fubo)
That is extra than simply the Mohamed Salah workforce as Egypt put together for his or her semifinal match, which might be a troublesome one. In truth, throughout the group stage, Egypt struggled to attain in any respect, scoring solely three objectives throughout the group stage earlier than breaking out to attain six within the two knockout stage matches to this point. Salah has 4 objectives and one help, however he has been intently adopted by Omar Marmoush, who has two objectives.
For Senegal, Salah’s former teammate Sadio Mane has been thriving as a creator with three assists, however it has been a really balanced assault with three gamers having scored two objectives. Senegal have been among the many most spectacular groups on the match, with Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr serving to stability the assault. In any given recreation, a brand new participant can step as much as win a match for Senegal, and so they’ll want simply that to win their first match since 2021. Egypt has to return a lot additional for once they final lifted this trophy in 2010, however it’s anybody’s guess who will come out of this tie.
Nigeria vs. Morocco
Wednesday, Jan 14, 3 p.m. ET (beIN Sports activities and Fubo)
It feels just like the winner of AFCON will come out of this tie. Nigeria have felt unstoppable as they give the impression of being to assert their first continental title since 2013, however Morocco need to journey dwelling subject benefit to their first title since 1976. Given their World Cup success in recent times, this does not really feel actual, however Morocco are nonetheless trying to conquer their continent and have all the standard to take action. Diaz is doing every little thing he can to push the Atlas Lions to the highest, and he is gotten assist from striker Ayoub El Kaabi’s three objectives and an help. Proper again Achraf Hakimi has additionally returned from harm to push the squad ahead. Morocco have not had a problem that might cease them but, however in going through Nigeria, that is the place issues might change.
Given their expertise, there are few sides who’ve been greater disappointments globally than Nigeria after not qualifying for the World Cup. They’ve been on a mission to point out that they seem to be a severe soccer facet. Osimhen has been among the many greatest strikers on this planet for Galatasaray, and he hasn’t missed a beat throughout AFCON, main the Tremendous Eagles, however to get previous Morocco, they will want every little thing to return collectively to close perfection.
