Morocco knock Nigeria out on penalties to reach AFCON final
Morocco booked their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Nigeria’s Super Eagles on penalties following a tense, goalless semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
After 120 minutes of high-intensity football produced no breakthrough, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the decisive figure, saving two spot-kicks to send the Atlas Lions through to a showdown with Senegal. Nigeria will now contest the third-place playoff against Egypt.
Cagey first half as chances stay limited
Nigeria gradually settled into the contest and registered the game’s first meaningful effort in the 13th minute, when Ademola Lookman tested Bounou with a long-range strike that was comfortably saved.
Eric Chelle’s side attempted to impose themselves, but Morocco’s aggressive pressing disrupted Nigeria’s rhythm.
The hosts responded with a brief spell of pressure before the half-hour mark. Youssef En-Nesyri El Kaabi failed to connect cleanly with a close-range header, while Brahim Díaz nodded wide moments later.
Victor Osimhen’s pressing caused problems in the 31st minute, forcing errors in the Moroccan box, but Nigeria could not capitalise.
A booking for Calvin Bassey in the 33rd minute ruled the defender out of Nigeria’s next match.
Just before the interval, Stanley Nwabali produced a sharp save to deny Ismael Saibari from inside the area, ensuring the sides went into the break level.
Second-half pressure and extra-time drama
Morocco threatened early in the second half when Saibari dispossessed Nigeria in midfield and slipped in Abde Ezzalzouli, but Nwabali again stood firm with an excellent save.
Nigeria responded after the hour mark, pushing higher up the pitch as Alex Iwobi sought to unlock the defence, though Morocco remained disciplined.
At the other end, Bassey was forced into crucial interventions to prevent El Kaabi from breaking through. Morocco appealed for a penalty late on, but VAR ruled against the hosts.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation or extra time, the semi-final was settled by penalties, where Bounou’s heroics proved decisive, sealing Morocco’s place in the final against Senegal.
