Morocco secured a place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night after defeating Nigeria on penalties in a tense semi-final that ended goalless after 120 minutes. The match was played on Moroccan soil, where the hosts relied on composure in the shootout to seal a 4-2 victory and advance to the championship match.
The encounter was tightly contested from the opening whistle, with both teams cancelling each other out during regulation time. Nigeria and Morocco matched each other in intensity and organisation, leaving little space for clear chances as the game progressed.
Despite periods of pressure from both sides, neither team was able to find a breakthrough in normal time. Defenders and goalkeepers dominated the proceedings, forcing the match into extra time as fatigue became increasingly visible.
Extra time followed a similar pattern, with both teams showing caution while still pushing for a decisive goal. The physical demands of the contest were evident, and neither side managed to break the deadlock before the referee signalled for penalties.
In the shootout, Morocco converted four of their spot-kicks to Nigeria’s two. The Super Eagles were left frustrated after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their penalties, mistakes that ultimately proved costly.
Morocco’s players kept their composure under pressure, using the backing of the home crowd to their advantage. The successful penalties sparked celebrations among the hosts, who booked their place in the AFCON final at Nigeria’s expense.
Speaking after the match, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui described the victory as hard-earned and emotionally significant. He admitted that his side struggled at times against a strong Nigerian team and had to rely on resilience and unity to progress.
Regragui said the match demanded a huge physical effort from his players, noting that the intensity of Nigeria’s approach made the contest especially challenging. He acknowledged that playing through extra time took a toll on the squad.
According to the coach, immediate recovery will be a priority as Morocco prepares for the final. He stressed that the team expended a great deal of energy and will need to regain strength quickly ahead of the next match.
Regragui also highlighted the importance of the connection between the players and the supporters. He credited the atmosphere inside the stadium as a motivating factor that helped the team endure difficult moments.
The Moroccan coach praised the collective effort, explaining that both the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands contributed to the outcome. He described the qualification for the final on home soil as a special achievement.
In his post-match comments, Regragui was also respectful of the opposition. He congratulated Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle and his team for their performance, describing their work and organisation as impressive throughout the tournament.
Nigeria’s exit came despite a disciplined and tactically sound display. The Super Eagles limited Morocco’s attacking options and matched the hosts physically, preventing them from dominating open play.
Throughout the match, Nigeria remained compact and structured, frustrating Morocco’s attempts to build sustained attacks. Their ability to push the hosts to penalties reflected the strength of their defensive approach.
However, the missed spot-kicks in the shootout proved decisive, ending Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the final. The result marked a painful conclusion to what had been a competitive and determined semi-final showing.
With the victory, Morocco now turn their focus to the AFCON final. The team will look to recover physically and mentally, drawing confidence from eliminating one of Africa’s strongest sides.
Buoyed by home support and momentum from the semi-final win, Morocco will aim to carry their resilience and unity into the final as they chase continental glory.
