Soccer
Nigeria’s long wait for a first Africa Cup of Nations title since 2013 will continue after the Super Eagles were knocked out in heartbreaking fashion by Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
The exit followed a disappointing loss to the host nation, 4–2 on penalties, following a tense, goalless semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday night.
Over 120 minutes, there was little to separate two disciplined, well-organised sides, although the hosts will feel they created the clearer chances and asked more questions of Nigeria’s defence.
In the end, it took the lottery of penalties to decide who would join Senegal in Sunday’s final, and it was Morocco who held their nerve.
For Nigeria, it was a familiar and painful story. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had kept them in the contest with a series of outstanding saves, and even stopped one penalty in the shootout.
But misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi proved costly, sending the Atlas Lions into the final and leaving the Super Eagles to contest the third-place playoff against Egypt.
Head coach Eric Chelle had been forced into just one change from the side that beat Algeria in the quarter-finals, with Raphael Onyedika replacing the suspended Wilfred Ndidi. In Ndidi’s absence, Victor Osimhen captained the team, carrying both the armband and Nigeria’s attacking hopes.
Morocco started brightly and nearly took the lead when Semi Ajayi lost possession in a dangerous area, though he recovered superbly to block the resulting effort.
Nigeria took time to settle, but began to grow into the game. In the 14th minute, Ademola Lookman found space on the edge of the box and forced Yassine Bounou into a smart low save, with Osimhen waiting for a rebound that never came.
Chances remained scarce but meaningful. Akor Adams failed to connect cleanly with a promising opening, while Morocco squandered two good opportunities that left Nigeria relieved to reach half-time still level.
Calvin Bassey was booked in contentious circumstances, a decision that would have ruled him out of the final had Nigeria progressed.
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The second half opened at a higher tempo. Onyedika fired wide from range, and Nwabali continued his excellent evening with another sharp stop to deny the hosts. Morocco threatened increasingly from set-pieces, but Nigeria’s back line stood firm.
Osimhen had two quick half-chances but could not shift the ball out of his feet in time to test the goalkeeper.
At the other end, Nwabali again came to Nigeria’s rescue after Moroccan appeals for handball against Bassey were waved away.
After 90 minutes, the deadlock remained. Extra time brought more tension than clarity.
Morocco struck the crossbar with a header from a corner, the closest either side came to a winner. Nigeria stayed compact, cautious, and resilient, with Nwabali making one last important save late on to force penalties.
In the shootout, despite Nwabali’s heroics, Nigeria faltered. Chukwueze and Onyemaechi both saw their efforts saved, and Morocco closed it out to spark wild celebrations among the home crowd.
Senegal will now face Morocco for the trophy, while the Super Eagles must quickly regroup for a third-place playoff against Egypt, and reflect on another golden opportunity that slipped away on the finest of margins.
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