According to news published by Vanguard on Wednesday, 14th of January, 2026, Nigeria are about to step onto the pitch for their biggest game of the 2025 AFCON so far – a semi-final showdown against Morocco. The lineup dropped an hour before kick-off, and head coach Eric Chelle has gone with an unchanged starting eleven. Many fans see this as a smart, confident move that could carry the Super Eagles all the way to the final.
1. Using The Same Starting Lineup
The first brilliant decision is sticking with the exact same team that beat Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals. That victory was built on rhythm and trust. Victor Osimhen scored and assisted, Ademola Lookman kept causing problems, Alex Iwobi ran the midfield, and the defence stayed solid.
The players looked comfortable together, knew each other’s movements and played with real belief. Changing things now against a strong Morocco side would risk breaking that flow. By keeping the same lineup, Chelle is showing faith in the group that has got Nigeria this far. Momentum matters in knockout football, and this choice keeps it alive.
2. Starting Akor Adams
The second wise call is starting Akor Adams up front again alongside Osimhen. Adams has earned every minute he’s played in this tournament. He’s been lively, clever and hardworking every time he’s on the pitch. His assist for Lookman against Mozambique and his goal against Algeria showed he can deliver in big moments.
Playing next to Osimhen suits him perfectly – he makes clever runs, holds the ball up when needed and pulls defenders out of position. That creates more space for Osimhen to do what he does best. Adams isn’t just filling a spot; he’s become a key part of the attack. Leaving him out would weaken the balance up front, especially against a Morocco defence that likes to sit deep and counter.
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