Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the decisive figure as tournament hosts Morocco edged Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final, following a gripping semi-final that ended goalless after extra time on Wednesday.
Playing before a charged atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Bounou delivered two crucial saves in the shoot-out, denying Samuel Chukwueze and then producing a stunning stop to keep out Bruno Onyemaechi.
His interventions paved the way for Youssef En-Nesyri to slot home the winning penalty, triggering jubilant scenes among the home supporters.
There was a mix of relief and celebration for Hamza Igamane, who had looked devastated moments earlier when his effort was stopped by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Igamane was the only Moroccan player to miss, as the rest of the hosts’ takers, including captain Achraf Hakimi, kept their composure from the spot.
Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final after the Lions of Teranga secured a narrow 1–0 win over Egypt in the other semi-final, with Sadio Mane scoring the decisive goal against Mohamed Salah’s side.
The final will pit Africa’s two highest-ranked teams against each other, promising a fitting climax to the competition.
For Walid Regragui’s Morocco, the victory sustains hopes of ending a 50-year wait for a continental title, buoyed by passionate home backing. For Nigeria, however, the defeat is a painful conclusion, coming just two years after they were beaten in the final by hosts Ivory Coast.
What you should know
Morocco’s progression to the AFCON final highlights the growing importance of goalkeeping excellence in tournament football, with Yassine Bounou once again proving decisive on the biggest stage.
The hosts have carried the weight of expectation throughout the competition, aiming to secure their first continental crown in half a century. Nigeria’s exit, though heartbreaking, underlined their defensive resilience and competitiveness against elite opposition.
Sunday’s final against Senegal sets up a high-quality showdown between Africa’s two top-ranked nations, blending tactical discipline, individual star power and immense national pride in what promises to be a memorable conclusion to the tournament.
