Nigeria 0-0 Morocco: AFCoN hosts win in penalties, will face Senegal in final
Morocco will face Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the host nation bested Nigeria 4-2 in a penalty shootout in semifinal no. 2 on Wednesday.
MORE — Senegal 1-0 Egypt | AFCON schedule, bracket
After 120 minutes without a goal, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made two saves (only his second and third on the night) in the shootout to send the Atlas Lions to their first final since 2004. Morocco have only ever played in two AFCoN finals before, winning the tournament in 1976 and finishing runners-up in 2004.
After reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup (their first time beyond the round of 16), the Moroccans are enjoying an unprecedented period of success and will look to lift their first major trophy in 50 years when they face Sadio Mane and Senegal, who beat Egypt 1-0 in the first semifinal, on Sunday.
Nigeria vs Morocco live updates - by Andy Edwards Nigeria vs Morocco final score: 0-0 (2-4 PKs)Goalscorers: None
Penalty shootoutMorocco (4)
Made: Neil El Aynaoui, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En-Nesyri
Missed: Hamza Igamane
Nigeria (2)
Made: Paul Onuachu, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Missed: Samuel Chukwueze, Bruno Onyemaechi
Nwabili - Osayi-Samuel, Ajjayi, Bassey, Onyemechi - Onyedika, Onyeka, Iwobi - Lookman, Adams, Osimhen
Morocco starting lineupBounou - Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui - El Aynaoui, Saibari, El Khannouss - Diaz, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi
How to watch Nigeria vs Morocco live, stream link and start timeKick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (January 14)
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium — Rabat, Morocco
TV Channel, Stream: beIN Sports USA
Victor Osimhen has led Nigeria's charge to the final four with four goals and he scored in their 2-0 quarterfinal win against Algeria. The Super Eagles have won all five of their games to get to this stage, scoring a tournament-high 14 goals in the process with so many players stepping up and contributing in attack.
Morocco have also looked imperious with the hosts beating Cameroon 2-0 in their quarterfinal and Brahim Diaz has been their star with five goals so far to lead the tournament scoring charts. The hosts have kept four clean sheets in their five games and conceded just once as their incredible fans are pushing them towards a first AFCON title since 1976, and just the second in their history.
Nigeria team news, focusOsimhen, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi have linked up supremely in attack as Nigeria are so dangerous going forward. There is a really nice balance to this Nigeria side and with Osimhen and Adams up top they can bully opponents and always look like scoring. But the big problem is that captain Wilfred Ndidi is out for this game due to suspension, so Raphael Onyedika is likely to start in his place.
Morocco team news, focusMorocco look so solid defensively with Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina and Noussair Mazraoui extremely reliable as a back four and Bono a star in goal. Diaz has been exceptional in attack and Morocco have a really deep bench to keep their tempo high with En-Nesyri and Amrabat ready to use their experience to get them over the line.
Nigeria vs Morocco predictionThis is such a tough game to call but the hosts will probably edge it. Just. Nigeria 1-2 Morocco.
