Youssef En-Nesyri scored the decisive penalty in the penalty shootout when Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 after the match ended 0-0 in Rabat on Thursday, January 15, 2026, early morning WIB, to advance to the 2025 African Cup of Nations final against Senegal on Monday, January 19, 2026 WIB.
The tournament hosts advanced to their first final since 2004 – which they lost to Tunisia – and kept alive hopes of a second win in the continental tournament and a first in 50 years.
They will now meet 2021 champions Senegal, who won 1-0 over Egypt in Tangier on the same day to reach their third final in the last four Africa Cups.
Although Hamza Igamane failed to score in the penalty shootout for the hosts, Yacine Bounou saved the shots of Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemeachi who were nervous.
En-Nesyri’s substitute beat Nwabali to send the packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the country’s capital roaring in celebration.
Course of the match
Morocco took advantage of their ball possession well in the first half, putting pressure on the visiting team at the start of the match.
Nigeria twice lost the ball due to sloppy passes in the back line. Abde Ezzalzouli took advantage of the opportunity to grab the ball in front of Semi Ajayi, but the Nigerian center back managed to fend off the ball and thwart the chance to score.
It could be a bad sign even though Nigeria is slowly starting to calm down. Calvin Bassey sent accurate passes with his left foot, Alex Iwobi started to show his influence, and Bright Osayi-Samuel became an aggressive player on the right side of Nigeria.
After four minutes, Bassey was brought down in the Moroccan penalty area after receiving a beautiful pass from Iwobi although the referee rejected Nigeria’s claim for a penalty.
From Morocco, the first opportunity fell to Brahim Diaz, who is trying to become the first player since 1965 to score in six consecutive African Cup of Nations matches.
He stabbed from the right wing past Onyemeachi and unleashed a curling shot that slightly missed the right post of Stanley Nwabali’s goal, who was unable to reach the ball.
Five minutes later, Nigeria only had one chance in the first half when Iwobi delivered a beautiful pass to Ademola Lookman after the Super Eagles managed to penetrate the home team’s defense.
Lookman found space and fired low, but his shot was well blocked by Bounou.
Morocco, who looked increasingly comfortable amid high expectations from the crowd, almost scored in the 30th minute. Meanwhile, Diaz fired another shot that went wide shortly after receiving a pass from Achraf Hakimi.
In the 31st minute, Diaz fell on the edge of the Nigerian penalty area after losing a race with Bassey. The referee considered the Nigerian defender had used his arm on Diaz’s face – although replays showed otherwise – and gave him a yellow card.
The hosts got a chance to open the faucet again in the first half. Ismael Saibari, who turned away from Osayi-Samuel, shot at Nwabali at the end of the first half, but to no avail.
Entering the second half, the first opportunity fell to Nigeria. Raphael Onyedika – who replaced captain Wilfred Ndidi who was suspended – fired from outside the penalty area, but still soared.
It was fortune for Morocco, especially considering Onyedika had twice scored smartly in similar scenarios in the 3-2 group stage win against Tunisia.
Next, it was Morocco’s turn, as the match got hotter. Ezzalzouli, who got a breakthrough pass on the left side of Nigeria from Saibari, was not sure of the curved finish that Nwabali managed to parry.
When Morocco was at its best, Bassey made a brilliant save by snatching the ball from Ayoub El Kaabi’s feet.
The Olympiacos striker – who has already scored twice in the tournament – was poised to score after receiving a cross from Mazraoui.
However, Morocco began to lose momentum in the attack. This situation was used by Nigeria to further control the game.
Iwobi more often in possession of the ball, but their attacks always failed because of mistakes by Onyemeachi and then Akor Adams.
The most tense moment in the match occurred 12 minutes before the end of the match. Hakimi fired a hard shot at Bassey which seemed to bounce off his thigh and hit his wrist.
This triggered a loud and prolonged call for a penalty from Morocco’s supporters, players and technical staff, but the referee firmly rejected the VAR assessment proposal.
In the 82nd minute, Ezzalzouli’s curved kick was again thwarted by Nwabali. In the end, both teams were unable to score until the second half was over.
Entering the extra time, Eric Chelle slightly changed Nigeria’s formation by inserting Moses Simon to replace Onyedika.
In Morocco’s camp, Walid Regragui included Hamza Igamane who had recovered from injury to replace El Kaabi.
The hosts got an opportunity from Nayef Aguerd who was able to deflect Hakimi’s corner, but the ball hit the crossbar of Nwabali in the 93rd minute.
Morocco showed their threat again moments later when Igamane passed Frank Onyeka, advanced towards the goal, but disappointed with a poor finish and missed.
Morocco had one last chance to avoid a penalty shootout when Neil El Aynaoui fired from distance, but again Nwabali was able to secure it.
Finally, the penalty shootout was inevitable. El Aynaoui and Onuachu scored goals before Igamane’s weak kick was stopped by Nwabali.
Chukwueze’s substitute, who came on late in the 121st minute, his poor penalty kick was successfully thwarted by Bounou,
Then, Elisse Ben Seghir, Fisayo Dele Bashiru, and Hakimi all managed to score.
Cheers broke out at the stadium after the nervous Onyemeachi failed to be the executor. Bounou deflected with his right hand, which the goalkeeper didn’t even have to drop to the ground to block the wingback’s attempt.
The last hope was on El Nesyri’s shoulders. Finally he managed to score a goal to ensure the party continued in Morocco.
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