THE Super Eagles of Nigeria could adopt a defensive approach and rely on fast breaks in their clash against the hosts in the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final tonight, head coach Eric Chelle has said.
The 2023 AFCON finalists have scored 14 goals so far in the current edition with their offensive football.
However, they will face Morocco, who have has not conceded a goal from open play.
The 48-year-old ex-Mali international stated that he will not only focus on stopping Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, who has scored five goals in five consecutive games.
“I feel that my squad is tired, so I may have to change my approach,” coach Chelle told reporters on Tuesday.
“We might let Morocco have the ball and wait for them.
“We have seen that they struggle when they come up against a low block. I think we will start like that. We will try to hold on in the first half and then play our game in the second half.”
Morocco needed a late goal from Diaz to secure a 1-0 win over Tanzania in the round of 16, before showing their abilities in a convincing 2-0 victory against Cameroon to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2004.
The Super Eagles, who missed the chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, will play against another North African team, after beating Tunisia 3-2 in a thrilling Group C game, and overcoming Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final.
“Algeria and Morocco are two good teams with good players, but Morocco don’t play like Algeria, and Walid Regragui isn’t Vladimir Petkovic. I will have to work, and my group too, to beat this team tomorrow,” Chelle said.
The Super Eagles will miss captain Wilfred Ndidi due to suspension, but will rely on striker Victor Osimhen, who has scored four goals, and forward Ademola Lookman, who has scored three goals and provided four assists.
The match kicks off at 9pm at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.