Morocco Defeat Nigeria To Qualify For Nations Cup Final

The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the 2025 Nations Cup semi-final clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday.

The regulation time, and extra time ended goalless but

Eric Chelle made one change to the side that defeated Algeria 2-0 in the quarterfinal.

Raphael Onyedika replaced suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi while Victor Osimhen led the team out for the encounter.

In goal, Stanley Nwabali kept his place with the quartet of Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel providing cover for him.

Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika occupied the middle of the park with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams in the attack.

Semi Ajayi almost presented Morocco with an early goal before he recovered to produce a timely block in the second minute.

Brahimi Diaz’s curler flew inches wide after he showed impressive foot work to get behind Nigeria’s defence.

Lookman’s effort from the outside the 18-yard box was parried to safety by the Moroccan goalkeeper.

Calvin Bassey was booked for a foul on Brahimi Diaz while the resulting free kick by Achraf Hakimi flew inches wide.

Both sides failed to break the deadlock in the first half with Morocco having the upper hand with five shots, and 57% of the ball possession.

Nwabali produced a stunning save for Nigeria to deny Morocco five minutes after the restart.

Raphael Onyedika was booked for a foul in the 77th minute.

Morocco’s penalty shout was turned down by the referee after Hakimi’s effort hit Bassey’s hand in the box.

Two minutes later, Nwabali produced another save to deny Abde Ezzalzouli in the 82nd minute.

Both sides could not find a breakthrough in the regulation time to send the game into extra-time.

The extra time ended goalless as the game went straight into penalty shootout.

Paul Onuachu scored Nigeria’s first effort after El Aynaoui had scored for the hosts.

Nwabali saved Igamane’s effort to give Nigeria hope before Chukwueze’s poor effort was comfortably saved by Bono.

Ben Seghir restored Morocco’s lead with a well-taken effort while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru brought Nigeria back into the contest with his effort finding the back of the net.

Achraf Hakimi beat Nwabali with a solo effort Bruno Onyemaechi’s effort was saved by Bono with a one-handed stop to make it 3-2 for Morocco.

En-Nesyri scored the last kick to send Morocco to the final of the tournament for the first time since 2004.

The Atlas Lions will play Senegal in the final on Sunday.

The Super Eagles will take on Egypt in the bronze medal match on Saturday.

Source: TheWhistler | Read the Full Story…