2025 AFCON: Eagles fall before Morocco on penalties, fail to qualify for final
The Super Eagles’ race for a fourth continental title at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco came to an end on Wednesday after a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to the hosts at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Despite struggling for large spells of the initial 90 minutes, which ended goalless, Nigeria managed to stretch the hosts into extra-time before heading into a shootout, where two missed kicks proved decisive.
With captain Wilfred Ndidi suspended for the semi-final due to accumulated yellow cards in the round of 16 and quarter-final, coach Eric Chelle handed Raphael Onyedika a second start, while the rest of the team from the quarter-final win over Algeria remained unchanged.
Unlike their previous outings, Chelle’s men failed to settle from the blast of the whistle, struggling to keep possession and contain the hosts in front of a packed stadium.
A lack of quality in the final third meant clear chances were few and far between early on. Brahim Díaz had one opportunity for Morocco but flashed his effort wide across goal, before Ademola Lookman saw a strike saved at the other end.
Achraf Hakimi was next to threaten, although his 22-yard free-kick only landed on the roof of the net. Stanley Nwabali was then called into action for the first time, springing low to his right to palm away a fierce Ismael Saibari effort that was arrowing towards the bottom corner. That proved to be the final real chance of a tightly contested opening 45 minutes, making it only the second Nigeria match at the tournament to reach half-time goalless.
As the second half wore on, the contest became increasingly cagey, with neither side willing to concede. There was just one clear opening before the end of regulation time, falling to Abde Ezzalzouli, whose whipped low effort from distance was comfortably saved by Nwabali.
Nigeria managed only two shots overall, while Morocco nearly landed a decisive blow late on through Neil El Aynaoui, whose long-range effort in stoppage time was struck too close to the Nigerian goalkeeper.
The tie was eventually decided by penalties to determine who would face Senegal in Rabat on Sunday. El Aynaoui converted first for Morocco before Paul Onuachu calmly levelled for Nigeria. The Super Eagles were briefly handed an advantage when Igamane’s effort was superbly saved by Nwabali.
However, Samuel Chukwueze, introduced late in extra time, failed to capitalise as his poorly struck spot-kick was kept out.
After Ben Seghir restored Morocco’s lead, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru responded for Nigeria, before Hakimi once again put the hosts ahead. Bruno Onyemaechi was then denied by Yassine Bounou with Nigeria’s fourth kick, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to seal victory and send the Atlas Lions into their first AFCON final since 2004, as they remain on course for a first continental title in 50 years.
For Nigeria, they are the side with the most bronze medals at the AFCON, having won eight, and they will face Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
