Morocco Beat Nigeria on Penalties to Reach Afcon 2025 Final in Rabat

Hosts Morocco held their nerve in Rabat to defeat Nigeria 4–2 on penalties and reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. After 120 minutes of tight, low-chance football ended goalless, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, saving spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi. The decisive penalty was calmly converted by Youssef En-Nesyri, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The semi-final produced few clear chances. Morocco’s best opening fell to tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz, whose first-half header drifted wide after meeting a cross from Achraf Hakimi. Nigeria’s attacking stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were largely contained, feeding on limited service throughout the match. Defensively, Nigeria stood firm, with centre-back Calvin Bassey delivering a standout performance as the Super Eagles absorbed sustained pressure. Appeals for a second-half penalty by the hosts were waved away following a VAR check.

Extra time followed a similar pattern, with Morocco controlling possession but failing to carve out a decisive opening. Nigeria entered the shootout without Osimhen, who was withdrawn late in extra time, a decision that proved costly. After both sides traded early penalties, misses from Hamza Igamane and Chukwueze kept the contest alive before Bounou’s acrobatic save from Onyemaechi handed Morocco the advantage. En-Nesyri then stepped up to seal victory amid wild celebrations at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The win sends Walid Regragui’s side into their first Afcon final since 2004 and keeps alive hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1976. Morocco will remain in the capital for Sunday’s final, where they face Senegal, who edged Egypt 1–0 in the other semi-final. For Nigeria, the defeat ends their hopes of a fourth continental title and extends a difficult run against Morocco at the tournament, while the hosts move one step closer to a historic triumph on home soil.