Super Eagles striker Akor Adams remains confident about the team’s objective of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, ahead of their semi-final meeting with hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Nigeria set up the meeting against the Atlas Lions following a dominant 2-0 win over Algeria in the quarter-final on Saturday. Morocco had also beaten Cameroon 2-0 in the last eight.

The Super Eagles have been dominant at the AFCON, winning all their matches and scoring 14 goals in the process.

Adams has been involved in four of those goals, scoring two and providing two assists.

“We have just one objective, to win. To win everything,” the striker told OmaSportsTV.

“That’s the only objective and we aim as high as possible and I don’t think that’s bigger than us. We are humble, of course, but we know what we are capable of doing as the Super Eagles, and we work hard, go back, try to get everyone as fit as possible and then see what happens.”

Since making his Super Eagles debut in October 2025 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, marking it with a goal in the 2–1 win over Lesotho, the striker has scored four goals and provided two assists in nine matches.

The Sevilla forward has been particularly influential in the knockout stages, scoring in Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 win over Mozambique and finding the net again in the quarter-final victory against Algeria.

Adams opened his goal account at the tournament with a 70th-minute strike, which completed Nigeria’s commanding display against Mozambique.

In the same match, the 25-year-old also provided the assist for Ademola Lookman’s opening goal and was involved in Nigeria’s second goal, which was finished off by Victor Osimhen.

His fourth goal at the tournament was a composed finish, in which he dribbled past Luca Zidane to score after a selfless pass from Victor Osimhen, following a line-breaking pass from Alex Iwobi.

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Nigeria head coach, Eric Chelle, has attracted strong interest from several African nations following the Super Eagles’ impressive run at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with Tunisia, Mali and Guinea all linked with moves for the Frenchman, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Chelle’s stock has risen sharply after guiding Nigeria to the semi-finals with a flawless record so far, winning all five matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just four, including a dominant 2–0 quarter-final victory over Algeria in which the North Africans failed to register a single shot on target.

Reports emerging from across the continent suggest that Tunisia are prepared to make a major financial commitment to lure Chelle away after the tournament.

According to multiple sources, the Tunisian football authorities have sounded out the coach and are willing to offer a salary of around $100,000 per month, with formal contact expected after the AFCON, amid uncertainty surrounding his long-term contract situation with Nigeria.

Interest from Guinea has also intensified. In August, journalist Romain Molina reported via Joueurs Guinéens that the Guinean Football Federation had turned their attention to Chelle after prolonged negotiations with their preferred candidate, Paulo Duarte, had stalled over salary demands.

“While Paulo Duarte, the top favourite for the position of coach of the Syli national, has yet to sign anything due to his salary demands, President Sory Doumbouya took the opportunity to try to negotiate with Eric Chelle, who is already in position in Nigeria,” Joueurs Guinéens reported in August.

SCORENigeria reported on Sunday that Chelle’s work with the Super Eagles continue to draw interest from other African countries, including Angola and Guinea.

“I can confirm to you that there are offers for Eric. At least two 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Angola and Guinea, have indicated interest in working with him, but what is important here is that he is focused on achieving his target with Nigeria in Morocco,” Samm Audu reported for SCORENigeria.

Mali, Chelle’s former employers, are also said to be regretting their decision to part ways with the coach after he led them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON.

Senegalese commentator Saiid At Tijani wrote that Mali “played much better under Éric Chelle” and argued that the real problems lay with certain players, adding that time has since vindicated former captain Hamari Traoré.

Malian outlet Les Aigles Du Mali echoed similar sentiments, noting that Chelle’s departure coincided with a decline in average points per competition despite fewer goals conceded under his successor.

“We’ve told you already. We had to wait for the AFCON! Sole positive point of Saintfiet on Chelle, fewer goals conceded. In average points, he’s gone from 1st to 5th by running a competition with Mali,” the outlet said.

Among Nigerian supporters, Chelle’s turnaround has sparked widespread praise, particularly given the disappointment of November 2025, when Nigeria lost the World Cup play-off final to DR Congo on penalties in Rabat.

That setback appeared to mark the lowest point of his tenure, but the response at AFCON has been emphatic, with victories over Tunisia and Uganda in the group stage, a 4–0 demolition of Mozambique in the round of 16, and the composed quarter-final win over Algeria.

Statistically, Chelle’s squad has been impressive at AFCON 2025, scoring 14 goals in five matches played and just four conceded.

The team averages 2.8 goals per game, maintains 62 per cent possession, and completes 88.6 per cent of passes accurately.

Defensively, Nigeria has kept two clean sheets, averaging 14.6 tackles and 16.2 clearances per game, while committing just one penalty.

Observers have drawn parallels with the late Stephen Keshi, who was dismissed by Mali after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 AFCON before leading Nigeria to continental glory three years later.

As the Super Eagles prepare for the latter stages of the tournament in Morocco, Chelle’s immediate focus remains on delivering success with Nigeria, even as interest from across Africa continues to grow.

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The Confederation of African Football has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by players and officials during the CAF AFCON 2025 quarter-final clashes between Cameroon and Morocco, as well as Algeria and Nigeria.

The probe follows reports of confrontations with referees and disruptions in post-match areas.

According to a statement posted on CAF’s official website on Monday, the continental football governing body has collected match reports and video evidence suggesting potentially unacceptable behaviour and has referred the matters to the Disciplinary Board for further review.

“CAF has referred the matters to the Disciplinary Board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons are found guilty of any wrongdoing.

“CAF is also reviewing footage of an incident involving members of the media who allegedly misbehaved in the mixed zone area,” the statement read.

In the quarter-final fixtures over the weekend, Nigeria secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria in Marrakech, with goals from star striker Victor Osimhen and forward Akor Adams propelling the Super Eagles into the semifinals.

However, the match ended in chaos as Algerian players confronted match officials on the pitch, leading to scuffles and an attempted pitch invasion by fans that was thwarted by stadium security.

The Algerian Football Federation has since lodged a formal complaint with CAF.

They cited controversial refereeing decisions by Senegalese official Issa Sy, including a denied penalty for an alleged handball in the Nigerian box during the first half.

Separately, Morocco advanced with a 2-0 win over Cameroon, but the match was also marred by refereeing disputes.

Cameroon’s team felt aggrieved over two potential penalties not awarded, both involving Moroccan defender Adam Masina.

Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, dismissed suggestions of home-team bias in a post-match press conference.

CAF stressed its commitment to maintaining professional conduct at all events.

“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers.

“Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behaviour is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events,” it added.

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