Host nation Morocco held their nerve in Rabat to defeat Nigeria 4–2 on penalties after a tense, goalless semi-final, booking a place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The decisive moment came when Youssef En-Nesyri calmly rolled home the winning spot-kick, moments after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced a stunning double act in the shootout, first denying Samuel Chukwueze and then making a remarkable save to stop Bruno Onyemaechi.
With clear chances scarce throughout 120 minutes, penalties felt inevitable from early on. Morocco’s best opening fell to tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz before the half-hour mark, but the Real Madrid forward mistimed a header from Achraf Hakimi’s cross, glancing the ball awkwardly off his shoulder.
Nigeria struggled to impose themselves in attack, with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman largely isolated. Lookman’s long-range effort before the break was comfortably gathered, while Stanley Nwabali remained alert at the other end, producing smart stops to deny Ismael Saibari and Diaz.
The second half and extra time followed a similar pattern, with Morocco controlling possession but unable to find a breakthrough.
Loud penalty appeals erupted when Hakimi’s shot struck Calvin Bassey’s arm, but VAR correctly ruled out any infringement after the ball appeared to deflect and make initial contact with the defender’s body.
Eric Chelle’s decision to withdraw Osimhen late in extra time raised eyebrows, and the absence of the Nigerian captain would soon be felt.
Although Paul Onuachu converted Nigeria’s first penalty after Neil El Aynaoui had opened the scoring for Morocco, momentum swung dramatically when Chukwueze missed with a weak effort that Bounou smothered.
Hamza Igamane briefly offered Nigeria hope when Nwabali saved his kick, but further misses proved costly. After successful conversions from Eliesse Ben Seghir, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Hakimi, Bounou delivered the defining moment — adjusting mid-dive to block Onyemaechi’s effort straight down the middle.
That save allowed En-Nesyri to step forward and seal victory, sparking wild celebrations inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as players, officials and fans poured onto the pitch.
The result sends Walid Regragui’s side into their first AFCON final since 2004 and keeps alive their dream of winning the tournament for the first time since 1976. Morocco are now unbeaten in 26 matches, a run stretching back to their last-16 exit at the 2023 edition.
Sunday’s final, also in Rabat, will see the Atlas Lions face Senegal, who edged Egypt 1–0 in the other semi-final. Having invested heavily in football development over the past decade and following their historic World Cup semi-final run in 2022, continental glory now feels within touching distance.
For Nigeria, the defeat extends their AFCON losing streak against Morocco to five matches and ends their bid for a fourth title. It also marks another painful penalty exit, following their shootout loss to DR Congo in the World Cup play-off final last November.
As the pressure mounts on Regragui ahead of the final, one thing is certain: Senegal and Sadio Mané will be determined to prevent Morocco’s home-soil fairytale from reaching its royal conclusion.
