'We will go there and have fun' - Super Eagles defender plays down Morocco threat ahead of AFCON semi-final

Super Eagles defender Igoh Ogbu has insisted that Nigeria will approach their high-profile AFCON 2025 semi-final against host nation Morocco with confidence and composure.

Nigeria will continue their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title on Wednesday at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where both sides arrive with impressive unbeaten records.

Morocco has recorded four wins and one draw, while the Super Eagles boast a perfect five-match winning run.

The clash represents only the second AFCON semi-final meeting between the two African heavyweights. Their previous encounter at this stage came in 1980, when Nigeria, as hosts, edged Morocco 1-0 on their way to lifting the trophy.

Speaking to journalists ahead of Wednesday's clash, Ogbu acknowledged Morocco’s quality but made it clear that Nigeria’s mindset remains firmly inward-looking.

He stressed that the team is focused on enjoying their football rather than being distracted by the opposition.

He said, “Morocco has good players; they are a fantastic team. But at this point, I don’t think we want to focus on them. We want to focus on our own team. We will just go there and have fun.”

Nigeria, however, will be without captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the knockout stages during the 2-0 quarter-final win over Algeria.

Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge is expected to step in for the former Leicester City midfielder. The energetic midfielder has already made a strong impression at the tournament, scoring both his goals in Nigeria’s 3-1 group-stage victory over Uganda, and also featuring as a substitute against Algeria.