The Super Eagles’ captaincy is set for a temporary change ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 semi-final clash against Morocco. Victor Osimhen is expected to wear the armband as Nigeria battle the Atlas Lions in Rabat.
Nigeria face the hosts at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 pm local time. A place in the AFCON final is at stake for both sides.
Ndidi Suspension Forces Captaincy Switch
Regular captain Wilfred Ndidi will miss the semi-final after receiving his second yellow card of the tournament. The booking came during Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Algeria.
CAF regulations automatically rule Ndidi out of the next match. His absence has left the Super Eagles technical crew with a captaincy decision ahead of the high-profile encounter.
Simon Moses Unlikely to Start
Vice-captain Simon Moses is also an option, but he is unlikely to start against Morocco. The winger has featured mainly from the bench since the group stage of the competition.
That situation reduces his chances of leading the team from kick-off in such a crucial fixture.
Osimhen Emerges as Natural Choice
Osimhen, one of the team’s vice-captains, is expected to start and remains Nigeria’s most influential attacking presence. His seniority and guaranteed spot in the starting XI make him the logical choice.
The striker has already worn the armband earlier in the tournament, earning the trust of teammates and coaches alike.
Osimhen’s Captaincy Record at AFCON
The Napoli forward captained Nigeria during the group-stage win over Uganda and the quarter-final victory against Algeria. The Super Eagles won both matches convincingly.
Those performances reinforced confidence in Osimhen’s leadership and ability to drive the team on big occasions.
Leadership Needed on Hostile Ground
Morocco remain unbeaten in the tournament and will enjoy strong home support in Rabat. Nigeria will need discipline, authority and energy to cope with the atmosphere.
Osimhen’s relentless pressing, physical presence and vocal leadership could prove decisive as Nigeria chase a ninth AFCON final appearance.
Kick-Off Details
Nigeria face Morocco at 8:00 pm GMT, which is 9:00 pm local time. All eyes will be on Osimhen as he leads the Super Eagles in one of their biggest matches at AFCON 2025.
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