Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh has delivered a powerful and measured warning ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final clash against tournament hosts Morocco.
Nigeria will face the Atlas Lions at 9:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2025, with a place in the AFCON final at stake.
Oliseh believes the margin for error will be extremely slim against a Moroccan side driven by quality, discipline, and intense home pressure, describing the encounter as the Super Eagles’ toughest and most tactical test of the competition so far.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated semi-final, Oliseh was emphatic that Morocco should not be underestimated, stressing that the North Africans are equal to Nigeria in every department.
According to the former Borussia Dortmund and Ajax midfielder, Morocco possess the tactical structure and technical quality to go toe-to-toe with the Super Eagles, making the clash a true heavyweight battle rather than a routine knockout fixture.
He described the match as a major examination for Nigeria, one that will demand tactical intelligence, discipline, and collective effort.
“Nigeria Not A One Man Team” – Sunday Oliseh
Oliseh was quick to dismiss the idea that Nigeria’s success hinges on one individual, insisting that the Super Eagles’ greatest weapon lies in their cohesion and flexibility as a unit.
He highlighted the team’s ability to adapt seamlessly to different tactical scenarios, making them extremely difficult to neutralize regardless of the opponent’s approach.
“If you attack Nigeria, they go on the counter. If you defend against Nigeria, they pull you out. Make your choice,” Oliseh said.
“This is the most tactical team Nigeria has faced so far and the most tactical team in Africa at the moment.”
“We are not playing an average team but one as good as we are. Nigeria is not Victor Osimhen.”
“Nigeria is these eleven solid players.”
“The Best Super Eagles I’ve Seen in 20 Years” – Sunday Oliseh
In glowing praise of the current squad, Oliseh described Nigeria’s style of play at AFCON 2025 as the best he has witnessed from the national team in two decades.
He pointed to Nigeria’s dominant performances against Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria, noting that the balance between structure, intensity, and intelligence has been exceptional.
“For the past 20 years, I have never seen a Super Eagles team play the way this team is playing,” Oliseh said.
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Morocco Under Immense Home Pressure
While praising Morocco’s tactical discipline and quality, Oliseh also drew attention to the psychological pressure facing the hosts, who are expected by their supporters to win every match convincingly on home soil.
He noted that expectations have risen sharply following Morocco’s global success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, placing enormous demands on the team at AFCON 2025.
“If Morocco had played like this at the AFCON before the 2022 World Cup, the citizens would have been celebrating,” Oliseh explained.
“Now there is so much pressure because they believe their team must win every match like it is a final.”
