Item 1 of 4 Soccer Football – CAF Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2025 – Semi Final – Nigeria v Morocco – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco – January 14, 2026 Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri and teammates celebrate after winning the match in the penalty shootout REUTERS\/Siphiwe Sibeko<\/p>\n
[1\/4]Soccer Football – CAF Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2025 – Semi Final – Nigeria v Morocco – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco – January 14, 2026 Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri and teammates celebrate after winning the match in the penalty shootout REUTERS\/Siphiwe Sibeko Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab<\/a>Morocco win 4-2 on spot-kicks after 0-0 drawYassine Bounou saves twice in shootoutMorocco to play Senegal in Sunday’s final<\/p>\n RABAT, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Yassine Bounou saved two penalties and Youssef En-Nesyri netted the decisive spot kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shootout victory over Nigeria following their 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, will face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday\u2019s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff a day before.<\/p>\n Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n The 120 minutes before the shootout had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created the greater opportunities, though they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.<\/p>\n Nigeria had the best scoring record in the competition coming into the semi-final, but offered very little going forward in a limp display.<\/p>\n And when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi saw their tame penalties saved in the shootout, they were left to reflect on a performance that showed little ambition.<\/p>\n Morocco were workmanlike and efficient as they have been all through the competition, even if they are still to find their best form.<\/p>\n They are on the brink of a first continental crown since 1976, but their biggest challenge awaits in an impressive Senegal side who beat Egypt 1-0<\/a> thanks to Sadio Mane\u2019s winner in the first semi-final in Tangier earlier on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The first half hour in Rabat was devoid of goalmouth chances until Achraf Hakimi\u2019s corner was headed into the path of Ayoub El Kaabi five yards from goal.<\/p>\n But he was caught in two minds whether to turn and shoot or try an overhead kick, and in the end did neither as the chance was lost.<\/p>\n MOROCCO CHANCES<\/p>\n Morocco’s Ismael Saibari showed excellent skill to work a shooting chance but Nwabali was equal to his effort.<\/p>\n He was by far the busier keeper in the game, but Morocco were mostly reduced to long-range efforts that proved comfortable enough to save.<\/p>\n Nigeria had few opportunities and when talisman Victor Osimhen did receive a pass in the box, his touch was poor and the rare chance was lost.<\/p>\n Nayef Aguerd\u2019s header from a corner hit the outside of the post as the hosts went close, but penalties seemed inevitable well before the 120 minutes were up.<\/p>\n And following Bounou\u2019s saves, En-Nesyri struck the decisive spot-kick to send his side into their first final since a 2004 loss to Tunisia.<\/p>\n Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Toby Davis<\/p>\n Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab<\/a><\/p>\n