AFCON 2025: CAF Sends Message to Nigeria After Semifinal Loss to Morocco

• The Confederation of African Football has sent a message to the Super Eagles over their 2025 AFCON campaign
• Nigeria lost 4-2 on penalties to host nation Morocco in the semi-final after a fierce and goalless 120-minute battle
• The Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place match in Casablanca on January 17, 2026

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) sent a message to the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Nigeria lost to host Morocco in the semifinal of the continental tournament after a goalless draw over an intense 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14.

The match was decided by penalties, as on-loan Fulham star Samuel Chukwueze and Olympiacos star Bruno Onyemaechi missed their spot kicks to ensure Morocco won 4-2 in front of their fans.

The three-time AFCON winners will take on Egypt in the third-place match, after the seven-time winners lost to the Teranga Lions of Senegal 1-0 in the first semifinal match, courtesy of a goal from Sadio Mane, according to ESPN.

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CAF sends message to Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has acknowledged the effort of the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

In a post on X, CAF noted that Nigeria had a special run from the group stage to the semis, where they lost to the host nation on penalties.

"Naija. This run was special," the post read, including a white heart and the Nigerian flag emojis.

Super Eagles scored a total of 14 goals in five matches, conceding four.

The match against Morocco was the only game in the tournament in which Nigeria failed to score a goal, as reported by Sofa Score.

Reactions to CAF hailing Nigeria at AFCON

Legit.ng compiled the reaction of fans following the message from the football governing body, with many still upset at the level of officiating.

@bigdammy_ said:

"You should have told us not to bother competing and handed the trophy to Morocco. What a terrible #AFCON2025 . Even Isa Hayatou regime was a lot better despite making CAF his private estate and an appendage of Cameroon. CAF is disgusting."

@Thopsonic1 wrote:

"The level of officiating at this afcon is by far below what we had in Ivory Coast. It's not a must to favour host nation at all cost. Let the best team win. That's the beauty of the game."

@OtunbaKwame added:

"Poor officiating spoiling the game unfit refs should never near this game get a good ref for high quality of the game not rookies like last night ref, hopefully we shall see a better officiating on Sunday not that show of shame last night."

@Sice_Khoza said:

"Heads up naija, you guys deserved to win the tournament."

Mourinho chooses between Nigeria and Morocco

Legit.ng earlier reported that Jose Mourinho had tipped Morocco over Nigeria in the semifinals of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Portuguese tactician said the one-time champions are an organised and disciplined side, describing the Atlas Lions as 'the best in Africa'.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.