Nigeria loses as Morocco wins semi-final, qualifies for AFCON 2025 final
*Coast now clear for Senegal vs Morroco show at final
Morocco will now clearly face Senegal in the Sunday’s showpiece after Sadio Mane led the 2021 winners past Egypt in the first semi-final.
Morocco has beaten Nigeria on penalties after a goalless semi-final draw on Wednesday January 14, 2026 in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football match between the North African country and Nigeria, to book their place in the final on Sunday January 18.
Yassine Bounou was the shootout hero for Morocco once again, saving two Nigerian penalties before substitute Youssef En-Nesyri stepped up and scored the decisive spot kick to win it for the hosts.
Morocco will now clearly face Senegal in the Sunday’s showpiece after Sadio Mane led the 2021 winners past Egypt in the first semi-final.
After all the drama of Wednesday’s semi-finals, there are two more matches left at this year’s AFCON.
The first of them holds not much weight as beaten sides Nigeria and Egypt will meet for the third-place play-off on Saturday January 17, 2026 in Casablanca.
The second being the main event, the Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco will host Senegal in Rabat on Sunday, knowing that one more victory will stamp their status as national heroes.
