Morocco’s Atlas Lions edged Nigeria’s Super Eagles on penalties to book a place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
After 120 goalless minutes at the electrifying Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the tense semifinal was decided by a dramatic penalty shootout.
Before kickoff, Victor Osimhen had brushed aside concerns about the intimidating Moroccan crowd, insisting he and his teammates were used to playing under intense pressure. However, once surrounded by the roaring, red-clad home supporters, the Super Eagles appeared unsettled.
Nigeria’s usually lethal attacking trio of Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams—responsible for most of the team’s 14 goals in the tournament—was largely neutralised. The shrill whistles from the stands drowned out Alex Iwobi’s creativity, while the hostile atmosphere seemed to disrupt Nigeria’s overall rhythm.
The absence of suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi was evident in midfield. Raphael Onyedika struggled to fill the void, while Frank Onyeka was stretched thin as he tried to cover multiple roles in an effort to stabilise the centre of the park.
Despite Lookman registering Nigeria’s first shot on target, the team managed just one more effort on goal in over two hours of football. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was frequently tested, whereas Morocco’s Yassine Bounou was largely untroubled.
Nigeria’s defence—Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel—worked tirelessly, repeatedly repelling waves of attacks led by Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El-Kaabi and Abde Ezzalzouli.
It was a frustrating evening for coach Eric Chelle and his players, who had dazzled in earlier rounds of the tournament. The Super Eagles also felt hard done by in moments, believing some decisions by Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, particularly minor but momentum-shifting calls, went against them.
Nigeria held firm to force penalties, a scenario that had haunted them only months earlier during their failed 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. When Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s spot-kick, hope surged that the curse had been lifted.
However, misses by Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi swung the momentum back to Morocco, and Youssef En-Nesyri converted the winning penalty to seal victory for the hosts.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON title was once again ended by a host nation, following their defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in the previous final in Abidjan.
Morocco will face Senegal in Sunday’s final, while Nigeria will contest the third-place match against Egypt on Saturday.