The Super Eagles held a closed-door training session in Rabat on Monday as preparations gathered pace for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against host nation Morocco.
Nigeria’s players and officials arrived in the Moroccan capital from Fez on Monday afternoon and are camped at the Rihab Hotel. Training was conducted at the Complexe Mohammed VI as the technical crew fine-tuned plans for the crucial last-four encounter.
According to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, the session was kept away from public view to give head coach Eric Chelle the opportunity to focus on tactical adjustments without external distractions.
The move to Rabat comes after Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Algeria in Marrakesh, with Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams getting the goals. Following that victory, the Super Eagles returned to their tournament base in Fez to recover, in line with CAF’s policy of assigning teams a fixed camp for the duration of the competition.
The shift to Rabat signals the final phase of preparations for the semi-final, which will be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The venue has been Morocco’s home ground throughout the tournament.
Nigeria are targeting a return to the AFCON final for the second time since lifting the trophy in 2013, having finished runners-up at the previous edition in Ivory Coast.
Efoghe confirmed that journalists will be allowed to observe the opening 15 minutes of Tuesday’s training session before the team resumes closed tactical drills.
There are no major injury worries in the camp. Defender Ryan Alebiosu continues to make progress in his recovery, while captain Wilfred Ndidi has been walking without pain after a hamstring strain.
Ndidi, however, will miss the semi-final due to suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the tournament. Medical officials are still expected to reassess his condition to determine whether further scans are necessary.
If the Super Eagles are defeated by Morocco, they will head to Casablanca for Saturday’s third-place play-off. A win would keep them in Rabat for Sunday’s final as Nigeria push for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title.
