Morocco Outlast Nigeria To Reach AFCON 2025 Final

By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI

NIGERIA’S Super Eagles were eliminated from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a painful 4–2 penalty shootout defeat to hosts Morocco in a tense semi-final clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The much-anticipated encounter, widely described as a “final before the final,” ended goalless after 90 minutes and extra time, as both teams cancelled each other out in a fiercely contested tactical battle.

Nigeria and Morocco showed attacking intent in the early stages, exchanging half-chances in an open first half. However, clear-cut opportunities were limited as both defences remained well organised. Victor Osimhen was closely marked throughout the contest, with Morocco’s backline refusing to give Nigeria’s star striker any space to operate.

Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman struggled to find rhythm in midfield and attack, as the game gradually became more cautious, particularly during extra time when fatigue and fear of conceding took hold.

With neither side able to break the deadlock after 120 minutes, the semi-final was decided by penalties. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, saving spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi to swing the contest in favour of the hosts.

Although Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali briefly raised hopes by producing a superb one-handed save to deny Hamza Igmane, the missed Nigerian penalties proved decisive. Youssef En-Nesyri calmly converted the final kick to send the Rabat crowd into celebration.

Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final, as they seek a second AFCON title, 50 years after their only previous triumph in 1976. Nigeria, meanwhile, will contest the third-place playoff against Egypt in Casablanca.