Nigeria defender Igoh Ogbu has delivered a heartfelt call ahead of the Super Eagles’ crucial Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco, urging his teammates to play not only for a place in the final but for the people back home.

Nigeria face the Atlas Lions on Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, with a spot in the AFCON 2025 final at stake. It is a high-pressure encounter between two of the tournament’s most consistent sides, but Ogbu insists the Super Eagles are drawing strength from unity and purpose rather than fear.

“We have to fight against Morocco for our families and friends, and for all Nigerians,” Ogbu told reporters. “There is a lot of positive energy within the team and we have to stay focused.”

Nigeria arrive at the semi-final as the only team to have won all five of their matches so far at the tournament. Morocco, backed by a passionate home crowd, have also impressed, recording four wins and a draw on their route to the last four.

Despite acknowledging the quality in the Moroccan squad, Ogbu said Nigeria’s focus remains firmly inward.

“We have to play the way we played in the previous matches and just do the same thing. There is nothing different,” he said. “Morocco’s players have high quality, but we are not focusing on that. We are focusing on our own strengths, not our weaknesses.”

The Super Eagles are chasing a fourth AFCON title and their first since lifting the trophy in 2013. Victory on Wednesday would move them one step closer to ending that wait and set up a final against either Senegal or Egypt.

As anticipation builds in Rabat and across Nigeria, Ogbu’s words capture the mood within the camp, a team driven not just by tactics and form, but by the weight of expectation and the desire to make their country proud on Africa’s biggest stage.