Morocco on Wednesday defeated Nigeria after a penalty shootout in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal.
Following a grueling 120 minutes of goalless football at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the Atlas Lions of Morocco secured their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations final, winning 4–2 on penalties and leaving Nigerian fans devastated.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that both sides prioritized defensive discipline. Nigeria, led by the tactical shifts of coach Eric Chelle, employed a resilient low block to frustrate the Moroccan attack.
Despite the creative efforts of Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan side struggled to break through a wall of Nigerian defenders.
On the other end, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were kept quiet for much of the night by a disciplined Moroccan backline.
The tension of the Morocco vs Nigeria AFCON semifinal was palpable, as every counter-attack and set-piece felt like it could be the decisive moment, yet the scoreline remained 0–0 at the end of regulation and extra time.
The “lottery” of penalties ultimately decided the fate of the two African giants. Morocco’s veteran goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, proved to be the hero of the night, saving crucial spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi.
While Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru converted their attempts for Nigeria, it wasn’t enough to stop the momentum of the home side.
The atmosphere in the stadium reached a fever pitch as Youssouf En-Nesyri stepped up to smash home the winning penalty. The clinical finish from the spot by En-Nesyri ensured that Morocco defeated Nigeria in the AFCON semifinal.
For Nigeria, this exit is particularly painful given their dominant run throughout the tournament. Coach Eric Chelle’s men had won five consecutive matches leading up to this point, but they were unable to overcome the tactical wall set up by Walid Regragui’s side.
Social media has been flooded with reactions from fans expressing their heartbreak after Morocco defeated Nigeria in a penalty shootout, marking yet another year where the Super Eagles have fallen just short of the ultimate prize. Morocco will now advance to face Senegal in the final on Sunday, while Nigeria must prepare for the third-place play-off.
