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AFCON 2025: Morocco Beat Nigeria 4-2 on Penalties to Reach Final

Posted : 15 January 2026

For the second time in just over eight weeks, Nigeria’s Super Eagles fell short in a major tournament via penalties, losing 4-2 to Morocco’s Atlas Lions in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Yassine Bounou proved decisive in the shootout, saving efforts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, while Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored for Nigeria. Morocco’s successful penalties included strikes from Hamza Igamane and Eliesse Ben Seghir.

The defeat was a painful echo of the Eagles’ loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the FIFA World Cup playoff final at the same venue in November, when Nigeria fell in sudden death after a 1-1 draw. Despite the setback, the Super Eagles showed resilience, wearing their all-white kits and holding firm for over 120 minutes in front of a passionate crowd of 65,458 spectators.

The match itself was tightly contested and highly tactical. Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi went close with an early snap shot in the eighth minute, while Frank Onyeka’s service found Ademola Lookman in the 14th minute, whose strike tested Bounou. Later, Achraf Hakimi threatened from a free-kick in the 34th minute, and Nwabali made a crucial save from Ismael Saibari before halftime.

In the second half, Nwabali continued to frustrate Morocco’s leading scorers Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, while the Eagles repeatedly pressed forward, with Bruno Onyemaechi, Lookman, and Victor Osimhen creating opportunities. However, neither side could break the deadlock in regular or extra time, leading to the decisive penalty shootout.

With this result, Morocco progresses to face Senegal in Sunday’s final in Rabat, while Nigeria will meet Egypt in the third-place playoff on Saturday in Casablanca. The match highlighted both the competitive intensity of AFCON 2025 and the heartbreak that often comes with penalty shootouts.

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