Penalty pain ends Nigeria’s AFCON dream as Morocco march into final

It will be a clash of Africa’s football heavyweights as the Atlas Lions of Morocco prepare to face Senegal’s Lions of Teranga in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following Morocco’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nigeria on Wednesday night.

Playing before a vociferous home crowd at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, the hosts edged the Super Eagles 4-2 on penalties after a tense semi-final ended goalless at the end of extra time.

The encounter was a tightly contested tactical battle, with both sides cancelling each other out for long spells.

Nigeria, who arrived unbeaten in the tournament, struggled to break down a well-organised Moroccan defence marshalled by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while the Atlas Lions also found it difficult to penetrate a disciplined Nigerian backline anchored by Stanley Nwabali.

Despite flashes of attacking intent from both teams, clear-cut chances were scarce, and neither side could find a breakthrough across 120 minutes of football.

The stalemate forced the contest into a penalty shootout, where Morocco struck first through Neil El Aynaoui. Nigeria responded confidently, with Paul Onuachu converting to keep scores level.

The shootout swung dramatically when Morocco’s Hamza Igamane saw his effort saved by Nwabali, only for Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze to miss moments later, keeping the contest finely balanced.

Morocco regained the advantage as Eliesse Ben Seghir calmly dispatched his kick, before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru responded for Nigeria to make it 2-2.

In the decisive moments, Achraf Hakimi converted Morocco’s fourth penalty, while Nigeria’s Bruno Onyemaechi failed to find the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters and sealing Morocco’s passage to the final.

The victory sends Morocco into their first AFCON final in decades, where they will face defending champions Senegal, who earlier overcame Egypt in the other semi-final.

For Morocco, the win keeps alive hopes of lifting the continental crown for the first time since 1976, while Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON title ends in disappointment, their impressive campaign halted just short of the final.

Very Nigerian.

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