, edging Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a goalless semi-final.){kind=link}
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged the hero as hosts Morocco booked its place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), edging Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a goalless semi-final at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
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. Brahim Diaz came closest for Morocco with a curling effort that drifted narrowly wide.
At the other end, Ademola Lookman tested Bounou with a low drive from the edge of the area. Nigeria’s talisman Victor Osimhen was tightly marshalled throughout, with Morocco’s defence acutely aware of the danger any lapse in concentration could pose.
After the break, Morocco gradually took greater control, pushing higher up the pitch. Calvin Bassey was immense at the heart of Nigeria’s defence, using his strength and composure to withstand sustained pressure from the hosts.
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Morocco’s best chance of the second half fell to Abde Ezzalzouli, whose curling strike from inside the box was expertly turned away by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
However, the match finished 0-0 in regulation time as both sides couldn’t find the net in a high entertaining 90 minutes.
As fatigue set in during extra time and the stakes rose, caution prevailed, with both sides opting for a safety-first approach. After extra time failed to separate both sides, penalties were then required.
In the shootout, Bounou rose to the occasion in front of a packed Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
Neil El Aynaoui and Paul Onuachu converted the opening penalties for their respective sides, before Nigeria appeared to gain the upper hand when Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort.
That advantage, however, was swiftly erased as Bounou read Chukwueze’s kick to perfection, restoring parity.
Eliesse Ben Seghir and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru kept their nerve in the next round, before captain Achraf Hakimi stepped up confidently to put Morocco 3-2 ahead with the penultimate kick.
Bounou then delivered the defining moment of the shootout, stretching out a strong hand to repel Onyemaechi’s attempt.
With the stadium holding its breath, Youssef En-Nesyri stepped up to take the decisive spot kick.
En-Nesyri calmly dispatched the decisive penalty, sending the Rabat crowd into raptures and sealing a historic night for the hosts.
The victory came as a huge release of pressure for Morocco, who have carried the weight of expectation throughout the tournament as hosts.
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 in Casablanca.
The Morocco goalkeeper underlined his status as one of the continent’s finest, producing decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi and propel the Atlas Lions one step closer to continental glory.
It was Bounou’s night to shine, as Morocco marched on to a long-awaited AFCON final.
“The atmosphere during the match was wonderful,” said Man of the Match Bounou. “I thank all the fans who supported us. The players did what was required in a match that was not easy at all, and the opponent delivered a very strong performance.”
“I would like to thank the coach, Walid Regragui, who prepared us very well for this semifinal match, and I also thank all my teammates. I say thank you to all Moroccans who supported me.”
“Our people love the players of the Moroccan national team, and that gives us extra motivation to repay their trust. We will focus on recovery, prepare for the final, and give our fans what they deserve,” he added.
While the dream of bringing the trophy home is over, the Super Eagles’ tournament isn’t quite finished. Nigeria will now travel to face Egypt—who lost their semi-final 1–0 to Senegal — in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
For a team that scored 14 goals leading up to the semi-final, the bronze medal match will be a chance to end a promising campaign on a high note before Morocco and Senegal battle for the trophy on Sunday.
“The match was never easy, but the players showed a strong mental response and fought for every ball,” Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle said. “Losing on penalties is very painful.”
“It’s difficult because we worked hard throughout the entire tournament, but that’s football. We must continue working. We played this match with high pressing.”
“Because if you don’t press, you leave spaces and the situation becomes very complicated. From a technical point of view, we were not at the same level we showed in other matches. I don’t want to say the reason was fatigue, but the truth is that we lacked movement and power,” he concluded.