Morocco Edge Nigeria on Penalties to Book Place in 2025 Afcon Final
Morocco advance to their first Africa Cup of Nations final in over two decades after a tense semi-final victory in Rabat.
- Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a cagey, goalless semi-final.
- Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two spot-kicks to seal victory for the hosts.
- The Atlas Lions reached their first Afcon final since 2004 and will face Senegal in the final.
Hosts Morocco held their nerve in Rabat to defeat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties, securing a place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense semi-final encounter.
The decisive moment came when Youssef En-Nesyri calmly converted the winning spot-kick, sending the ball into the bottom-left corner. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved pivotal in the shootout, saving efforts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi to give the Atlas Lions the edge.
With few clear chances created throughout the match, a penalty shootout appeared inevitable from an early stage. Morocco came closest in the first half when tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz squandered a promising opportunity just before the half-hour mark, misjudging a header from Achraf Hakimi’s cross as the ball glanced off his shoulder.
Nigeria struggled to impose themselves in attack, with star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman largely starved of service. Lookman’s long-range effort in the first half was comfortably saved, summing up the Super Eagles’ attacking frustrations.
The victory sends Walid Regragui’s side into their first Afcon final since 2004, as Morocco chase a first continental title since 1976.
The Atlas Lions will remain in Rabat for Sunday’s final at 19:00 GMT, where they will face Senegal, who defeated Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final.
