Morocco down Nigeria on penalties to set up AFCON 2025 final against Senegal
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Atlas Lions survive nervy night in Rabat to book AFCON final spot
Morocco lived up to expectations as the favourites to be crowned kings of the continent by defeating Nigeria on penalties in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday night.
As expected based on our expert’s AFCON 2025 predictions, both sides began the match cautiously, creating few chances in the opening exchanges before the first big opportunity fell to the tournament’s leading goal-scorer Brahim Diaz, but the Real Madrid attacker flashed his effort wide.
Adam Masina and the reigning African Player of the Year, Achraf Hakimi, also had chances to give the Atlas Lions the lead in the first half but were unable to convert, while Stanley Nwabali denied Ismael Saibiari with a stunning save just before the half-time interval.
The Super Eagles showed greater intent in the second period and carved out their first clear opening after the restart through Raphael Onyedika, but the Club Brugge midfielder scuffed his shot wide.
As the match ticked closer to the final whistle, proceedings became more and more cagey, with both teams clearly setting out not to concede. Abde Ezzalzouli was presented with the final big chance of the night, but his effort was kept out, forcing the match to extra time.
After finishing goalless, the match went to a penalty shootout, where Nigeria took the early advantage following a missed spot-kick by Hamza Igamane. Unfortunately, it was short-lived, with Samuel Chukwueze fluffing his lines with a dreadful attempt that was saved by Yassine Bounou.
Both teams traded goals thereafter, but the Super Eagles were the first to blink, as Bounou came to the rescue of Atlas Lions with an unorthodox save to deny Bruno Onyemachi, which booked his team’s spot in the grand final against Senegal.
Sadio Mane fires Senegal into AFCON 2025 final as Salah heads home
In the first semi-final at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier, Senegal defeated Egypt 1-0 to progress to the final of the AFCON 2025, thanks to a 78th-minute goal by Sadio Mane, who once again proved to be the difference-maker.
Mane fired a stunning shot from just outside the box to leave Mohamed El Shenawy helpless. The goal marked the third time that the Teranga Lions’ talisman got the better of his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah in a high-stakes international fixture.
Salah was the standout performer for the Pharaohs in Morocco over the last month, scoring four goals for his side, including three winners. However, he struggled to make any impact in the semis, recording only a single attempt on goal.
With that result, Senegal will now face Morocco in the final in Rabat on Sunday, though the 2021 champions will have to make do without their skipper Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra, both of whom were shown their second yellow card of the knockout phase and will have to serve a suspension.
