Hosts Morocco held their nerve in Rabat to defeat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties, booking their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense, goalless semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, saving spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, before striker Youssef En-Nesyri calmly rolled home the decisive penalty to spark scenes of wild celebration among players, staff, and supporters.
The victory sends Morocco into their first Afcon final since 2004, where they will face defending champions Senegal on Sunday (19:00 GMT), as the Atlas Lions chase a first continental crown since 1976.
Cagey Semi-Final Ends in Penalty Drama
In a contest defined by tactical caution and defensive discipline, chances were at a premium from the opening whistle, and a penalty shootout felt inevitable long before the final whistle.
Morocco, roared on by a partisan home crowd, enjoyed more of the ball but struggled to break down a well-organised Nigerian defence.
The hosts’ best opportunity of the first half fell to Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer, who misjudged a header from Achraf Hakimi’s inviting right-wing cross just before the half-hour mark. The Real Madrid forward’s effort struck his shoulder rather than his forehead and drifted harmlessly wide.
Nigeria, meanwhile, found their star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman isolated for long spells. Lookman’s speculative first-half drive from outside the box was comfortably dealt with, while Osimhen fed largely on scraps.
Morocco’s Long Unbeaten Run Continues
The result extends Morocco’s unbeaten run to 26 matches, dating back to their last-16 exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite their consistency, this is only Morocco’s second Afcon final appearance, having lifted the trophy in 1976 during a final group phase and losing to Tunisia in the 2004 final.
That rarity explains the intensity of the atmosphere in Rabat, where supporters sense a once-in-a-generation opportunity to win the tournament on home soil.
A Nation’s Footballing Vision Nears Its Climax
For more than a decade, King Mohammed VI has overseen massive investment in Moroccan football infrastructure and youth development, using the sport as a driver of national identity and cultural change.
Those efforts bore global fruit when Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022. Lifting the Africa Cup of Nations would be the final piece in a carefully constructed footballing revolution.
Just as in the quarter-final win over Cameroon, the atmosphere inside the renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was electric—but Nigeria’s experience ensured the hosts were made to work far harder.
Calvin Bassey Shines for Nigeria
Nigeria’s defence, marshalled superbly by Calvin Bassey, absorbed wave after wave of Moroccan pressure.
The Fulham centre-back was near flawless, winning duels and cutting out danger, though he was controversially booked in the 33rd minute after catching Diaz with a flailing arm—an incident that could have ruled him out of the final had Nigeria progressed.
Morocco threatened sporadically through Diaz and Ismael Saibari, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali produced a smart near-post block to deny Saibari after an inventive piece of control.
VAR Says No to Morocco Penalty Appeals
The second half offered even fewer clear-cut chances, though the home crowd erupted when Hakimi fired a shot that struck Bassey’s arm inside the area.
After a VAR check, officials correctly ruled no penalty, with the ball having deflected off another defender and struck Bassey’s body first.
Morocco dominated possession in extra time and claimed their fourth clean sheet of the tournament, but Nigeria held firm, forcing the match to penalties.
Osimhen Substituted Before Shootout
One of the defining talking points came late in extra time when Nigeria coach Eric Chelle withdrew captain Victor Osimhen just minutes before the penalty shootout.
The decision raised eyebrows—and may yet haunt the Malian coach—especially given Nigeria’s troubled history with shootouts.
Osimhen was left watching from the sidelines as Paul Onuachu converted Nigeria’s opening penalty to cancel out Neil El Aynaoui’s opener for Morocco.
Bounou the Hero as Morocco Hold Their Nerve
Momentum swung when Hamza Igamane missed for Morocco, but Nigeria failed to capitalise as Samuel Chukwueze delivered a weak effort that Bounou easily smothered.
After a sequence of composed penalties from Eliesse Ben Seghir, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Achraf Hakimi, the moment of brilliance arrived.
Bounou produced a stunning save to deny Bruno Onyemaechi, initially diving left before readjusting mid-movement to block a shot aimed straight down the middle.
That set the stage for En-Nesyri, who coolly sent Nwabali the wrong way to seal victory and ignite euphoric celebrations.
Nigeria’s Afcon Heartbreak Continues
The defeat marks Nigeria’s fifth consecutive Afcon loss to Morocco, ending their hopes of a fourth continental title.
It also represents penalty heartbreak for the Super Eagles for the second time in months, following defeat to DR Congo in African World Cup play-off finals in November.
After losing the 2023 Afcon final to hosts Ivory Coast, this latest exit deepens a painful trend of near-misses for one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.
Morocco vs Senegal: A Final Heavy with Expectation
Morocco become the 15th host nation to reach an Afcon final on home soil—but few coaches will face pressure quite like Walid Regragui ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
Standing in their way are Senegal, champions in 2021, led by Sadio Mane, who will relish the chance to spoil what many in Morocco see as a footballing coronation.
A nation, and its king, expect history—but the final promises anything but a formality.
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