Morocco booked their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Nigeria’s Super Eagles on penalties following a tense, goalless semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The highly anticipated clash lived up to its billing, delivering a tactical battle filled with intensity, physical duels, and disciplined defending from both sides. With a raucous home crowd behind them, Morocco pushed relentlessly, while Nigeria relied on organisation, counter-attacks, and moments of individual brilliance to stay in the contest.
After 120 minutes of high-intensity football produced no breakthrough, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the decisive figure, saving two spot-kicks to send the Atlas Lions through to a showdown with Senegal. Nigeria will now contest the third-place playoff against Egypt.
Cagey first half as chances stay limited
Both teams began the encounter cautiously, aware of what was at stake, as midfield battles dominated the opening exchanges. Possession was evenly shared, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by as defensive structures remained compact.
Nigeria gradually settled into the contest and registered the game’s first meaningful effort in the 13th minute, when Ademola Lookman tested Bounou with a long-range strike that was comfortably saved.
Eric Chelle’s side attempted to impose themselves, but Morocco’s aggressive pressing disrupted Nigeria’s rhythm, forcing hurried passes and limiting space in the final third.
The hosts responded with a brief spell of pressure before the half-hour mark. Youssef En-Nesyri El Kaabi failed to connect cleanly with a close-range header, while Brahim Díaz nodded wide moments later as Morocco began to assert themselves.
Victor Osimhen’s pressing caused problems in the 31st minute, forcing errors in the Moroccan box, but Nigeria could not capitalise as defensive cover arrived just in time.
A booking for Calvin Bassey in the 33rd minute ruled the defender out of Nigeria’s next match, dealing a blow to the Super Eagles’ defensive options.
Just before the interval, Stanley Nwabali produced a sharp save to deny Ismael Saibari from inside the area, ensuring the sides went into the break level and underlining Nigeria’s resilience at the back.
Second-half pressure and extra-time drama
Morocco emerged for the second half with renewed urgency, increasing the tempo and committing more bodies forward in search of the opening goal.
The hosts threatened early in the second half when Saibari dispossessed Nigeria in midfield and slipped in Abde Ezzalzouli, but Nwabali again stood firm with an excellent save to keep the Super Eagles alive.
Nigeria responded after the hour mark, pushing higher up the pitch as Alex Iwobi sought to unlock the defence with clever passes, though Morocco remained disciplined and difficult to break down.
At the other end, Bassey was forced into crucial interventions to prevent El Kaabi from breaking through, while Morocco continued to test Nigeria’s defensive resolve.
As fatigue began to set in, the game opened up in extra time, with both sides creating half-chances. Morocco appealed for a penalty late on after a collision in the box, but VAR reviewed the incident and ruled against the hosts.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation or extra time, the semi-final was settled by penalties, where Bounou’s heroics proved decisive. The Moroccan goalkeeper saved two efforts to spark wild celebrations in Rabat, sealing Morocco’s place in the final against Senegal and ending Nigeria’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
Despite the heartbreak, Nigeria can take positives from a disciplined performance and will turn their attention to the third-place playoff against Egypt as they aim to finish the tournament on a high note.