After fairly a knockout stage thus far, 4 groups stay within the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco set to play within the semifinals on Wednesday. Morocco could have been among the many favorites to win the event with it going down of their dwelling nation, however given the performances of others round them, this shall be no cakewalk regardless of the recent type of Brahim Diaz, who has 5 targets in 5 video games performed to prepared the ground for the Golden Boot.
Morocco shall be one in every of Africa’s representatives on the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, alongside Senegal and Egypt, however for Nigeria, after failing to qualify for the World Cup, they’re going to be throwing every thing that they will at being cChampions of Africa. With 4 targets and two assists, Victor Osimhen is doing every thing that he can to push Nigeria ahead, together with the three targets and two assists that Ademola Lookman has supplied too. Defensively, this facet has some questions, however in relation to going ahead, there will not be a crew on the continent that may beat them in a shootout.
Senegal vs. Egypt
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 12 p.m. ET (beIN Sports activities and Fubo)
That is extra than simply the Mohamed Salah crew as Egypt put together for his or her semifinal match, which shall be a tricky one. In actual fact, throughout the group stage, Egypt struggled to attain in any respect, scoring solely three targets throughout the group stage earlier than breaking out to attain six within the two knockout stage matches thus far. Salah has 4 targets and one help, however he has been intently adopted by Omar Marmoush, who has two targets.
For Senegal, Salah’s former teammate Sadio Mane has been thriving as a creator with three assists, however it has been a really balanced assault with three gamers having scored two targets. Senegal have been among the many most spectacular groups on the event, with Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr serving to steadiness the assault. In any given sport, a brand new participant can step as much as win a match for Senegal, they usually’ll want simply that to win their first event since 2021. Egypt has to return a lot additional for once they final lifted this trophy in 2010, however it’s anybody’s guess who will come out of this tie.
Nigeria vs. Morocco
Wednesday, Jan 14, 3 p.m. ET (beIN Sports activities and Fubo)
It feels just like the winner of AFCON will come out of this tie. Nigeria have felt unstoppable as they appear to say their first continental title since 2013, however Morocco need to journey dwelling discipline benefit to their first title since 1976. Given their World Cup success in recent times, this does not really feel actual, however Morocco are nonetheless seeking to conquer their continent and have all the standard to take action. Diaz is doing every thing he can to push the Atlas Lions to the highest, and he is gotten assist from striker Ayoub El Kaabi’s three targets and an help. Proper again Achraf Hakimi has additionally returned from harm to push the squad ahead. Morocco have not had a problem that would cease them but, however in dealing with Nigeria, that is the place issues may change.
Given their expertise, there are few sides who’ve been larger disappointments globally than Nigeria after not qualifying for the World Cup. They’ve been on a mission to indicate that they are a severe soccer facet. Osimhen has been among the many greatest strikers on the planet for Galatasaray, and he hasn’t missed a beat throughout AFCON, main the Tremendous Eagles, however to get previous Morocco, they’re going to want every thing to come back collectively to close perfection.
