After Man\u00e9’s Senegal knocked out Salah’s Egypt, Morocco secured its spot in the Africa Cup of Nations final this Wednesday (14).<\/p>\n
The decision came down to penalties after a goalless draw in regular time and extra time.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
It was better for the host nation, who prevailed 4-2.<\/p>\n
Bono was the protagonist after one penalty was “passed back” and then making a save even after a “strange” exit by the Al-Hilal goalkeeper.<\/p>\n
The final will be on Sunday (18), with kickoff at 3:30 PM (Bras\u00edlia time).<\/p>\n
Senegal and Morocco are both seeking only their second AFCON title \u2013 see the champions ranking below.<\/p>\n
Lacked More Football<\/p>\n
The first half saw the host nation with more possession and playing more aggressively.<\/p>\n
Nigeria, on the other hand, couldn’t be lethal or use the speed of their attack.<\/p>\n
The second half came, and with it, Osimhen & Co. had more of the ball.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
But once again, Morocco showed a greater ability to finish their plays.<\/p>\n
Extra Time and Penalties<\/p>\n
Morocco tried more in extra time. But again, without the expected effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Highlight for Osimhen’s exit three minutes before extra time ended.<\/p>\n
The attempts, however, had no effect. Ensuring a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n
El Aynaoui left Nwabali out of the picture, putting Morocco ahead \u2013 1-0<\/p>\n
Paul Onuachu, brought on at 118′, equalized for Nigeria \u2013 1-1<\/p>\n
Nwabali guessed right and saved Hamza’s shot \u2013 1-1<\/p>\n
Chukwueze \u2013 who came on in the last minute of extra time \u2013 passed the ball back to Bono \u2013 1-1<\/p>\n
Ben Seghir put Morocco back in front \u2013 2-1<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
Dele-Bashiru leveled for Nigeria \u2013 2-2<\/p>\n
Hakimi gave Nwabali no chance \u2013 3-2<\/p>\n
Bono came out awkwardly, but managed to save Bono’s shot \u2013 3-2<\/p>\n
And En Nesyri secured the hosts’ place in the final \u2013 4-2<\/p>\n
Champion Teams\u00a0\ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n
7\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0titles<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddec Egypt \u2013 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010<\/p>\n
5\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0titles<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf2 Cameroon \u2013 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, and 2017<\/p>\n
4\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0titles<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udded Ghana \u2013 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982<\/p>\n
3\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0titles<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddec Nigeria \u2013 1980, 1994, and 2013<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddee Ivory Coast \u2013 1992, 2015, and 2023<\/p>\n
2\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0titles<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddff Algeria \u2013 1990 and 2019<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 Democratic Republic of Congo \u2013 1962 and 1974<\/p>\n
1\ufe0f\u20e3\u00a0title<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf9 Ethiopia \u2013 1962<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde9 Sudan \u2013 1970<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddec Congo \u2013 1972<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Morocco \u2013 1976<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 South Africa \u2013 1996<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf3 Tunisia \u2013 2004<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\uddf2 Zambia \u2013 2012<\/p>\n
\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf3 Senegal \u2013 2021<\/p>\n