Overview
- Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at 21:00 local time at Rabat’s Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
- CAF appointed Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea to the match, a choice under the microscope after his earlier group-stage display drew sharp criticism from Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traoré.
- Morocco coach Walid Regragui ruled Azzedine Ounahi out, said Romain Saïss is recovering, and signaled Achraf Hakimi is progressing well and expected to contribute strongly.
- Nigeria will be without captain Wilfred Ndidi due to yellow-card accumulation, with options such as Raphael Onyedika to cover as the Super Eagles bring a tournament-best 14 goals led by Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.
- Police in Morocco arrested a supporter seen in a viral video tearing Moroccan banknotes after Algeria’s exit, underscoring off-field tensions surrounding the tournament.