Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a heartbreaking loss from the 2025 AFCON after losing 4-2 on penalties to host Morocco in a tense semi-final clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.
The encounter, widely billed as a “final before the final”, ended goalless after regulation time and extra time, with both sides locked in a fierce tactical battle.
The semi-final itself was an absorbing, finely balanced affair.
Both teams showed intent from the outset, trading early opportunities in an open first half.
Nigeria’s key attacking players, including Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, struggled to impose themselves on the game, as chances were few and far between.
Nigeria’s talisman Victor Osimhen was tightly marshalled throughout, with Morocco’s defence acutely aware of the danger any lapse in concentration could pose.
As fatigue set in during extra time and the stakes rose, caution prevailed, with both sides opting for a safety-first approach.
With no breakthrough forthcoming after 120 minutes, penalties were required — and it was Yassine Bounou’s night to shine, as Morocco marched on to a long-awaited AFCON final.
In spite of the defeat, the Super Eagles turned in another resolute defensive display, with Calvin Bassey outstanding at the back.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also rose to the occasion, pulling off a fine one-handed save to deny Morocco’s Hamza Igmane and hand Nigeria an early advantage during the penalty shootout.
However, missed spot-kicks by Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi proved costly, as Morocco held their nerve to seal victory.
Bounou, was the hero of the shootout, saving penalties from Chukwueze and Onyemaechi, before Youssef En-Nesyri calmly converted the decisive kick to send the home crowd into raptures.
The Atlas Lions will now return to Rabat on Sunday for the final, where they will face Senegal, champions of the 2021 edition.
Morocco are aiming to lift the AFCON trophy for only the second time in their history, with their sole previous triumph coming exactly 50 years ago in 1976.
For Nigeria, hopes of reaching a second consecutive AFCON final were dashed, and the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the third-place play-off against Egypt on Saturday in Casablanca.
Egypt had lost 0-1 to the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the first semi-final played earlier on Wednesday, thanks to Sadio Mane’s 78th minute strike.
