After defeating Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals on Saturday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will make their 17th* appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals on Wednesday against host country, Morocco, in Rabat.
Of their 16* previous semi-final outings, the Super Eagles won nine times and lost seven times. Nigeria also won three of the finals it reached after winning the semi-finals.
With the 17th semi-finals scheduled to hold on Wednesday, Peoples Gazette presents Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ triumphs and heartbreaks in the Nations Cup semi-finals.
AFCON 1976*
Nigeria came third. This edition was unique because there was no knockout stage. The first, second and third positions were determined by a final round-robin group. The showpiece was held in Ethiopia. Nigeria have reached the “last four” a record 17 times (AFCON 2025 included), but have played in only 15 semi-final matches. In 1976, the tournament used a final group stage rather than knockout semi-finals and a final. The top two teams from the two initial groups formed a final group of four. Nigeria finished third in this final group to win the bronze medal, reaching the semi-final stage without playing a specific “semi-final match”.
AFCON 1978
Hosted by Ghana, Nigeria lost 1-2 to Uganda in the semi-final.
AFCON 1980
Nigeria defeated Morocco 1–0 courtesy of a ninth-minute goal from Felix Owolabi. Nigeria won the tournament, beating Algeria 3-0 in the final.
AFCON 1984
Hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria was defeated by Egypt via penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in extra time.
AFCON 1988
Hosted by Morocco, Nigeria played a semi-final match, beating Algeria 9-8 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1.
AFCON 1990
It was hosted by Algeria. Nigeria defeated Zambia 2-0 courtesy of goals from Uche Okechukwu and Rashidi Yekini.
AFCON 1992
The semi-final game between Nigeria and Ghana, played in Dakar, Senegal, ended 2-1 in Ghana’s favour.
AFCON 1994
Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast in the semi-finals on penalties and went on to beat Zambia 2-1 in the final.
AFCON 2000
Co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana, Super Eagles defeated South Africa’s Bafana Bafana 2-0 in the semi-finals.
AFCON 2002
Hosted by Mali, Nigeria lost 1-2 to Senegal in the semi-finals.
AFCON 2004
Tunisia defeated Nigeria 5-3 in the semi-finals on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
AFCON 2006
Nigeria played Ivory Coast in the semi-finals. Ivory Coast won.
AFCON 2010
Nigeria was beaten by Ghana in the semi-finals by a lone goal.
AFCON 2013
Hosted by South Africa, Nigeria defeated Mali 4-1 in the semi-finals and went on to lift the trophy, beating Burkina Faso in the final, courtesy of a lone goal by Sunday Mbah.
AFCON 2019
In the semi-finals, Algeria beat Nigeria 2-1. It was hosted by Egypt.
AFCON 2023
In this semi-final clash, Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1. The edition was hosted by Côte d’Ivoire.
AFCON 2025
Will Nigeria’s Super Eagles triumph against Morocco’s Atlas Lions on Wednesday, similar to the 1980 encounter?
