Football fans in Nigeria are facing a scheduling headache as two major semi-final fixtures – AFCON 2025 and the EFL Cup – kick off at the same time on Wednesday night, forcing supporters to choose between national pride and club loyalty.
The Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Nigeria and hosts Morocco will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, while Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Both matches are scheduled for 9:00pm WAT.
High stakes on two fronts
The AFCON encounter pits two continental heavyweights against each other, with Nigeria chasing a fourth African title and Morocco targeting a first championship since 1976 on home soil.
The match has generated significant anticipation across Nigeria, given the Super Eagles’ strong run at the tournament.
In England, attention shifts to London where Chelsea and Arsenal renew their rivalry in a high-pressure domestic semi-final.
With a place in the Carabao Cup final at stake, the fixture carries major implications for both clubs’ seasons.
Fans caught in the middle
For Nigerian fans who also support English clubs, the simultaneous scheduling has sparked widespread debate and frustration online.
Many supporters have taken to social media to express their dilemma, with some joking about the need for multiple screens to keep up.
“I guess we all have same problem of which game to watch tonight. Chelsea vs Arsenal or Nigeria vs Morocco,” wrote one user, Elites, on X.
Another fan, Jay Arsenal, echoed the sentiment: “Chelsea vs Arsenal. Nigeria vs Morocco. Both matches are kicking off at the same time today… which one will you be watching?”
Asa Asika added, saying: “A great day would be Nigeria beating Morocco and Chelsea beating Arsenal, fingers crossed.”
Broadcast and scheduling concerns
The overlap has also reignited conversations around global football scheduling. While Sky Sports are broadcasting the EFL Cup tie in the UK, the AFCON semi-final is available on CAF TV and SuperSport across Africa.
However, fans without access to multiple viewing options are left with limited choices.
For many supporters, the clash highlights ongoing concerns that major African tournaments are often overlooked in global scheduling decisions.