In a night of nerve-shredding tension at a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Nigeria's quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title came to a crushing halt as hosts Morocco prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a grueling 120-minute semi-final ended goalless.
The Atlas Lions, roared on by a fervent home crowd, held their nerve from the spot to secure a historic place in the final on home soil, setting up a title decider against Senegal.
A Tale of Missed Chances and Stout Defenses
The match was a classic, tense semi-final battle where clear opportunities were at a premium. Both sides prioritized defensive solidity, resulting in a midfield war of attrition.
Nigeria's best chance in regulation time fell to Victor Osimhen, whose powerful header in the 65th minute was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. At the other end, Stanley Nwabali was called into action to deny a low drive from Azzedine Ounahi, ensuring the deadlock persisted through 90 minutes.
Extra time saw fatigue set in, with both teams visibly cautious of making a season-defining mistake. The fear of losing outweighed the ambition to win, leading to a stalemate and the inevitable drama of penalties. With the game ending in a penalty shootout, victory could go either way, and it did, with the host nation getting the better of the day after the penalty ended with a hard-fought 4:2 win against Nigeria.
The Road Ahead
* Final: Morocco vs. Senegal – A titanic clash between the host nation and the reigning champions.
* Third-Place Playoff: Nigeria vs. Egypt – A consolation fixture for two continental giants.
Morocco's victory sets the stage for a dream final against Senegal, while Nigeria's tournament ends in the agonizing fashion familiar to any team on the wrong side of a penalty shootout.
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