The AFCON 2025 is just four games away from completion, with Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt and Morocco set to battle for gold in the coming days, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles have maintained a 100% record in Morocco so far, scoring 14 goals and keeping two clean sheets, while the hosts have won four of five games, drawing against Mali in their second group game.
Walid Regragui’s men have conceded just one goal all-tournament, a penalty in their 1-1 draw against Mali, highlighting their solidity at the back with four clean sheets on home soil.
Soccernet.ng highlights five key players that could make a difference on the pitch for either side in the semi-final tomorrow.
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1. Brahim Diaz
The Real Madrid winger has taken the AFCON 2025 by storm. He’s the competition’s leading goalscorer (5), and has scored in every game he’s played since the start of the tournament.
Away from his goals, the 26-year-old’s close control is impressive, and he’s a very good dribbler, something Nigeria’s Bruno Onyemaechi has to be aware of to avoid being isolated against the ex-Manchester City midfielder.
2. Achraf Hakimi
The Paris Saint-Germain full-back had an outstanding campaign for his club side last season, winning the French Ligue 1, Coupe de la Ligue, UEFA Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League titles.
He also played a crucial role as Luis Enrique’s side got to the final of the maiden 32-team FIFA Club World Cup tournament, but they lost the final to Chelsea.
Last season, the former Real Madrid defender wasn’t just solid at the back, but his availability and efficiency in attack aided PSG as he scored nine goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions for Le Parisien.
He’s also the reigning African Player of the Year, and that’s why Morocco couldn’t leave him at home even when he was injured at the start of the tournament.
Hakimi returned to the field in Morocco’s third group game before providing an assist against Tanzania in the round of 16.
3. Yassine Bounou
At 34, the Al-Hilal goalkeeper is still going strong. While he’s no longer playing at the highest level in terms of club football, he’s shone in Morocco that he’s still the best goalkeeper on the African continent.
Bounou has kept four clean sheets in five AFCON games, conceding one goal, which was from a penalty. He’s a brilliant shotstopper and will be one to watch.
4. Alex Iwobi
Bright Osayi-Samuel and Eric Chelle have been in awe of Alex Iwobi’s passing range at the AFCON 2025 competition.
Iwobi has made 46 line-breaking passes at the 2025 AFCON, at least twice as many as any other Nigerian player (22 by Wilfried Ndidi).
Twenty-two of Iwobi’s line-breaking passes came in his side’s win over Mozambique last time out; the most by any player across the round of 16. pic.twitter.com/ozv2DtmpYN
— Fola Guerreiro (@folahan_jnr) January 10, 2026
Playing on the left side of Nigeria’s midfield four, the Fulham midfielder has been involved in almost all of Nigeria’s goals since the knockout stage kicked off.
Three pre-assists against Mozambique and two against Algeria means Morocco have to be wary of the Hale End Academy Graduate if they’re to keep Nigeria quiet tomorrow evening.
5. Victor Osimhen
The Galatasaray striker has been leading the line for Eric Chelle’s men in Morocco. He’s done better than he did in the previous edition of the tournament in Ivory Coast where he scored just one goal.
He’s found the back of the net four times, and it will be tough for the Moroccan centre-back duo, Nayef Aguerd and Adam Masina, to control him.