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