SportsNews

Davido loses $50,000 as Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to book AFCON 2025 final place: Live updates and reaction

Published

3 weeks ago

January 14, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Morocco will face Senegal for the AFCON championship after beating Nigeria 4-2 on penalties

Nigeria 0-0 Morocco — AFCON penalty shootout latest reaction

Morocco have beaten Nigeria on penalties to book their place in the 2025 AFCON final.

Morocco: 4 ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅
Nigeria: 2 ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ –

An enthralling contest, often played at a ferocious pace, ended goalless after 90 minutes and then again after extra time.

Morocco will face Senegal in Sunday’s showpiece after Sadio Mane led them past Egypt earlier on today.

Share your thoughts: live@theathletic.com

3m ago

Jay Harris

Staff Writer, Tottenham Hotspur

Why can’t this talented generation of Nigerian players turn up in big games?

For the third year in a row they have stumbled at a big hurdle. In 2024 they lost the AFCON final to Ivory Coast. Last year they crashed out of the World Cup play-offs. Tonight they have been eliminated by the hosts.

Another bruising shootout defeat for Nigeria

Nigeria have lost another crucial penalty shootout, less than 60 days since DR Congo ended their 2026 World Cup hopes.

It is the cruellest way to lose and Nigeria will have to recover emotionally from the shattering disappointment.

In their defence, it is maybe the toughest environment in which to take penalties you can possibly imagine.

9m ago

Jay Harris

Staff Writer, Tottenham Hotspur

Chukwueze and Onyemaechi — who missed the Nigerian penalties — are in bits as Morocco wildly celebrate reaching the AFCON final.

They are being consoled by their team-mates and backroom staff.

Morocco’s goalkeeper Bounou just slid on his chest across the floor along with Brahim. Head coach Walid Regragui ran onto the pitch.

They are agonisingly close to winning AFCON for the first time in 50 years and in front of their own supporters, too!

11m ago

Ed Mackey

Live Editor

More penalty shootout heartbreak for Nigeria

Penalty shootouts in these big matches are so cruel.

Nigeria battled away for 120 minutes and earned themselves a penalty shootout, but it is Morocco who prevail in front of their own fans.

The Moroccan players looked a lot more comfortable from 12 yards than their opponents, possibly owing to the support from the stands.

Yassine Bounou is, once again, the hero of his country.

14m ago

Ed Mackey

Live Editor

GOAL: En-Nesyri sends Morocco to the final!

They’ve done it! The tournament hosts will play in the AFCON final in front of their own fans!

Morocco: 4 ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅
Nigeria: 2 ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ –

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SportsNews

2026 World Cup: Super Eagles waiting for FIFA’s decision – Iwobi

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?

The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.

“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.

“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences

to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.

The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.

President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.

“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.

I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)