₦airaland Forum

The "Final Whistle" team did a good tactical preview of this match. Morocco is actually trying to create overloads on the flanks during offensive transactions and then the adopt a compact shape in the middle once the loose possession.

Onyedika is more press resistant than Ndidi.

I think the nerves are at play here. Good the match is still nil-nil.

The guys need a mental lift to get the result

This game is going to test the mentality of this team.

After notable near misses, they have a chance at redemption.

Chelle and the boys..best of luck.

3:1 Naija wins.

Let's have a West African derby in the final.

Very cagey match between familiar opponents. ( EGY vs SEN)

Naija and Morocco have by twist of fate, evaded each other for a long time . Very little familiarity could give us a more open game later this evening.

Prediction

Maroc - 1
Nigeria - 3

Morocco to score either via a free kick/ dubious penalty.

Expecting a goal from Lookman today.

Morroco's best AFCON performance in recent history was in 2004 that when they played against Nigeria at the group stage and reached the finals but lost to Tunisia(host). They were my team of that AFCON.

Morroco tends to perform poorly at AFCON even in the year when they had a good WC run in 2022.

It will take something in form of diabolical officiating and/or missteps from our boys for Morroco to reach another AFCON final this time around.

Morocco's game plan will almost certainly involve pressing Iwobi with probably 3 players to force him into releasing the ball quicker. .. Isolating Osayi to create 1v1 situations with Diaz. Morroco also have a wide variety of approaches to set piece execution which could be a problem.

Morocco's defensive transitions aren't that quick. The SE have scored some goals from quick breaks and quickly turn defense to attack. Can't see Morocco doing the high press like they did with CMR. They might focus more on set pieces.

I trust Akinsanmiro is learning from the Iwobi masterclass at this AFCON. Brains over brawn.

The midfield has finally found a rhythm and balance which has clearly rubbed off on our attack

Morroco has an excellent counter press. The close down the opposition once the lose the ball. Onyedika is quite comfortable receiving balls under pressure. Iwobi and Onyedika will be key to our build up play.

Barca - MSN
SE - OLA

I think the argument even made the team stronger. The players showed a lot of selflessness today.

Gusau should start expressing reservations about dodgy refereeing decisions favouring the host. These Morrocans are too desperate.

This is the kind of spectacle Motsepe and his cohorts want Africans to experience every 4 years.

Interesting match up in the semis.

This SE team have made good teams look ordinary at this AFCON, not a fluke.

If the officiating isn't diabolical, Morroco will be beaten. The SE attack is underrated by Naija fans though. Other African teams have smelt the coffee.

This SE side has clicked.

If the officiating is fair. Naija beats Morroco.

The most potent attack on the continent is Nigeria. Sad they hadn't reached this level during the playoff.

The silent strength of this of this Algerian side is their coach. Petkovic is a tactically savvy coach. He reads the game well and makes adjustments to nullify the opposition. Hopefully the SE will put them to the sword before things get dicey.

These Mahgreb guys are sore losers. Their FA do everything possible to put match officials under pressure like they did at the WAFCON finals this year. The level of officiating at this AFCON is clearly below par especially when these guys play.

No penalty awarded to the SE yet at AFCON which is a good sign.

My issue with these Mahgreb nations hosting AFCON is the obvious biased officiating. VAR and the general officiating level at the last AFCON was a lot better.

Folks tipping Algeria and Morroco to advance.

Some Algerians are wary of this SE team. Frankly no side in Africa can match the SE's attack. The issue is if the other depts will come to the party and the team clicks as a whole.

Cameroon are a boogey team on the continent. They have a way of overachieving with average players. Morroco could be in for a rude awakening.

Akinsanmiro is yet to be get minutes at the AFCON but I am glad he is part of the setup.

Glad all the noise about Salim Fago and Musa Muhammed has simmered.

Algeria trolled the SE after that Mahrez free kick during AFCON 2019. Patiently waiting to see how this goes this time around.

Now AFCON begins.

Games will be very very close. I expect teams to nullify each other tactically in most cases. Individual brilliance and physical conditioning could be difference from this point onwards to the final.

Algeria provides the sternest test for the SE at this AFCON. The result and performance will tell a lot about the true state of this team.

DRC has superb defensive transitions. They come into their defensive shape quickly after losing possession..also a very physical well drilled team. Any team playing against DRC needs to really mixup their buildup play to create clear cut chances.

The "drama" has vindicated Edafe who has always opined that these guys have subtle dislike for each other from his personal interactions with the players. Osimhen's behavior was totally unacceptable towards a teammate but I want to believe there was an undercurrent to his action..probably unresolved issues now escalating in that manner in the public. I hope Chelle and his backroom staff manage this properly to keep this team focused on their goals/objectives.

This SE team is going to be a nightmare for any team in this tournament. It will take a lot to edge them. The QF against DRC/Algeria is going to be spicy.

This team is currently in it's peak...the team needs to win something after the WC failures.

Fine margins in this knockout phase.

The QFs will be much more even. Now AFCON gets really interesting.

Dodgy decision not to check VAR.

Tanzania has exposed this Moroccan team despite losing. Can't see this team defeating Senegal at this AFCON.

Tunisia have good organization but deservedly failed to scale the R16. Don't see them representing Africa well at the mundial though they WC qualification record is impressive.

Playing Onuachu and Osimhen upfront was quite an experiment. Surprisingly, Onuachu was the one who dropped deep at times whilst Osimhen occupied the centre halves.

The team's spatial awareness and offensive transition has been the best I have seen in a long while.

It is foolhardy and somewhat shameful expecting FIFA to disqualify DRC on the premise of our interpreting their National constitution.

If the guys get an AFCON title, that would help their legacy and which has taken a battering already. Osimhen is destined to be Naija's all time goal scorer. The only disappointment could be the lack of WC appearances on his resume.

This SE team is soft in the sides. Ola Aina's absence and Zaidu's dip in form are the major contributory factors. Any serious organized team will focus on our flanks to cause issues.

The 3-5-2 formation masked the weaknesses of this team whilst amplifying the strengths.

And this is the team some would like to see against SA and DRC at AFCON?

NFF have better lawyers than actual sport administrators. Any country playing against the SE need to do thorough background checks on their players for suspensions and legibility before hand.

At this rate, even if DRC fielded ineligible players, it is best the go to the mundial. Quite shameful was Cameroon giving DRC a more competitive game than the SE. Can't imagine Naija getting all these helping hands but undoing themselves all along. The players are the ones that have their legacies at stake not the fans. Most of them will never play in a world cup till the retire. Let the next generation players (Benjamin Fredrick et al) pick themselves up from there.

NFF should take their L in Peace. If Naija finds a backdoor to this WC, the laxity and delusion it will build in our football administrators can only be imagined.

Can't remember an AFCON we went into with this much apathy from the fans. SMH

The loss against Italy during US 94 and missing out of this world cup in the manner we did must be the most painful moments in SE history. Edafe's claim about this set of SE players may just be true after all.