Football analysts have attributed Nigeria’s semi-final exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a combination of overwhelming home support for Morocco and what they described as undue political influence in the tournament’s administration.
Speaking during post-match analysis, the analysts noted that the atmosphere inside the stadium in Rabat strongly favoured the host nation, giving Moroccan players a psychological edge in what was an intense, winner-takes-all encounter.
According to them, the vocal backing from the home crowd appeared to lift the Atlas Lions, who pushed relentlessly until the end of extra time before edging Nigeria out via a penalty shootout.
The analysts further expressed concern over what they perceived as political undertones influencing African football, warning that such practices could hinder the growth and credibility of the sport on the continent.
They argued that for football and sports development in Africa to truly progress, all forms of political interference must be eliminated, stressing that officiating and administrative decisions should be transparently fair to all teams.
The comments come amid widespread debate following Nigeria’s elimination, with fans and observers scrutinising the role of match conditions, officiating and institutional bias at the tournament.
Morocco went on to secure a place in the AFCON final, while Nigeria will now contest the third-place match, as discussions continue over the need for reforms to strengthen fairness and integrity in African football competitions.