Morocco Vs Nigeria (Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games Qualifier: Dakar)

 

After both teams were stalemated in two legs of the qualifying series (Nigeria won 3-0 in Lagos and Morocco won 4-1 in Casablanca), world football-governing body, FIFA, ruled that there had to be a one-leg playoff to determine the winner. It was the period before the away-goal-counts-double principle.

 

Asuquo Ekpe, with a brace, and ‘wonderboy’ Paul Hamilton accounted for the defeat of Morocco in Lagos. Hamilton scored Nigeria’s only goal in the return leg in Casablanca. However, the Atlas Lions edged the tie in Dakar and took the ticket.

 

Morocco Vs Nigeria (1976 Africa Cup of Nations: Addis Ababa)

 

A young, talented, driven and agile Nigeria team had stunned Cup holders Zaire (now DR Congo) 4-2 in their first match at the continental finals in Ethiopia. However, they fell 1-3 to the Atlas Lions in their third game, after a 1-0 win over Sudan.

 

The wins over Zaire and Sudan qualified the Eagles for the final round of a tournament that remains the only one till date to have been played on league basis. In that final round, they came up against Morocco again. Baba Otu Mohammed scored just before the hour but Ahmed Faras and Redouane El Guezzar won it for Morocco with late goals. Morocco emerged champions while the Eagles, who defeated Egypt 3-2 in their final game, took bronze.

 

Nigeria Vs Morocco (1976 Olympics Qualifying Match: Lagos)

 

Only three weeks after the disappointment of Addis Ababa, the opportunity presented itself for the Eagles to exact their revenge on the Atlas Lions. In a Montreal Olympics qualifying match at the National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria swept to a commanding 3-1 win thanks to goals by Thompson Usiyen (a brace) and Kelechi ‘Caterpillar’ Emeteole.

 

Nigeria lost the return by a lone goal, and qualified for Montreal. However, the Government of Nigeria led an African boycott of the Games as a result of host nation Canada’s dalliance with New Zealand, which had sporting ties with apartheid South Africa.

 

Nigeria Vs Morocco (1980 AFCON semi final: Lagos)

 

The Green Eagles were flying high in the first AFCON to be hosted by Nigeria, and the Atlas Lions could not stop them, as Felix Owolabi lashed in the only goal early in the semi final encounter at the National Stadium, Lagos to set the stage for a Nigeria, Algeria Final, which the Eagles won to claim their first AFCON title.

 

Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 AFCON qualifying match: Rabat)

 

After a scoreless draw in Benin City, Nigeria and Morocco again ended it 0-0 in the return in Rabat, necessitating a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties and qualified for Cote d’Ivoire 1984.

 

Morocco Vs Nigeria (1984 Olympics Qualifying Match: Casablanca)

 

Both teams had again ended the first leg in Lagos 0-0, and the same result was returned in Casablanca in the race to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Morocco won 4-3 and qualified to the next round.

 

Nigeria Vs Morocco (2000 Africa Cup of Nations: Lagos)

 

Goals by Finidi George and Julius Aghahowa gave Nigeria victory and qualification to the quarter-finals of the AFCON finals they co-hosted with Ghana, setting up a clash with the Teranga Lions of Senegal.

 

Morocco Vs Nigeria (2014 African Nations Championship: Cape Town)

 

Morocco took the game by the scruff from the first blast of the whistle and sped to a 3-0 lead after 45 minutes at the Cape Town Stadium.

 

However, Nigeria, coached by Stephen Keshi (of blessed memory) returned from recess a different proposition, and drew level before winning in extra time to qualify for the semi finals.