Ndidi out of semi final clash against Morocco after picking up two yellow cards

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles will be without the services of skipper Wilfred Ndidi for their semi final clash against Morocco on Wednesday he picked up bookings in yesterday's quarter final victory over Algeria.

Last night, the Eagles booked their passage into the semi final with a comfortable 2-0 win over Algeria, thanks to goals in the 47th and 57th minutes from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams respectively. However, the victory came at a cost as Ndidi picked up their second yellow cards in the tournament for time-wasting and will now have to sit out the next match.

Ndidi picked up a knock in the 67th minute, forcing head coach Eric Chelle to replace him with Moses Simon but because he took too long to leave the pitch, Senegalese referee Issa Sy booked him. In the 85th minute, Ndidi had been booked in the Round of 16 clash against Mozambique, so is dsqualified under the totting up process.

Morocco's Atlas Lions booked their place in the semi finals with a similar 2-0 victory over Cameroon's Indomitable Lions on Friday. Backed by a vocal home crowd, the Moroccans will be all fired up for Wednesday's game, although they will not appreciate meeting Nigeria before the final as the Super Eagles have been the most impressive team in the tournament so far.

Despite the absence of Ndidi, Nigeria will still be a handful for Morocco as coach Chelle is likely to call on Raphael Onyedika to replace Ndidi. Thanks to the depth on the squad, the absence of the team leader Ndidi should not be felt too badly.

Accumulating two yellow cards during the knockout stages, triggers an automatic one-match ban, meaning that Ndidi will return to the side for the final should Nigeria beat Morocco. In the other semi final, Senegal's Lions of Teranga will lock horns with the Pharaoh's of Egypt, to determine who Nigeria faces in the final should the Eagles get there.