AFCON: Morocco keep calm to advance past Nigeria via penalties

Youssef En-Nesyri fired 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Morocco into the final on Wednesday evening in Rabat with the decisive spot kick in a semifinal penalty shootout victory over Nigeria. The substitute forward kept his cool to send the Atlas Lions into their first AFCON final since 2004 following a 0-0 draw through 120 minutes.

Similarly to Wednesday’s earlier semifinal between Egypt and Senegal, both teams approached the match cautiously. Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi made a dangerous giveaway inside three minutes but his recovery tackle was spectacular to thwart Ismael Saibari’s attempt on goal.

The Super Eagles’ first chance came ten minutes later when Ademola Lookman’s long range attempt was pushed away by Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. For the most part, the first half saw both teams fight to a stalemate with the hosts perhaps looking a bit more dangerous.

The intensity increased after halftime but the match remained a tactical battle. Morocco had an excellent chance in the 52nd minute but Abde Ezzalzouli’s curled effort was saved by Super Eagles keeper Stanley Nwabali following a quick counter-attack.

Nigeria failed to create much in the second half but it was the same for the hosts, who were limited to long range efforts that failed to trouble Nwabali through the second half and an uneventful extra time.

Penalty kicks were required to resolve the stalemate. After each team converted their first attempts, Nwabali pushed wide the Atlas Lions’ second attempt from substitute Hamza Igamane but Bounou quickly responded by grabbing Samuel Chukwueze’s tame effort.

But the fourth set of kicks proved to be decisive. Achraf Hakimi converted the first kick for Morocco but Bounou anticipated Bruno Onyemaechi’s kick to save, setting up En-Nesyri to send the Atlas Lions into the final with the winning spot kick.

 

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The hosts will face Senegal in the final on Sunday at the same venue in Rabat. Nigeria will face Egypt in the Third Place match on Saturday in Casablanca.