Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged the hero as hosts Morocco booked their place in the final of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 21 years, edging Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a goalless semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday night.
After 90 minutes and extra time failed to separate the sides, the contest was settled from the penalty spot, where Bounou rose to the occasion in front of a packed Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
The Morocco goalkeeper underlined his status as one of the continent’s finest, producing decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi and propel the Atlas Lions one step closer to continental glory.
Neil El Aynaoui and Paul Onuachu converted the opening penalties for their respective sides, before Nigeria appeared to gain the upper hand when Stanley Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort. That advantage, however, was swiftly erased as Bounou read Chukwueze’s kick to perfection, restoring parity.
Eliesse Ben Seghir and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru kept their nerve in the next round, before captain Achraf Hakimi stepped up confidently to put Morocco 3-2 ahead with the penultimate kick.
Bounou then delivered the defining moment of the shootout, stretching out a strong hand to repel Onyemaechi’s attempt.
With the stadium holding its breath, Youssef En-Nesyri stepped up and calmly dispatched the decisive penalty, sending the Rabat crowd into raptures and sealing a historic night for the hosts.
The victory came as a huge release of pressure for Morocco, who have carried the weight of expectation throughout the tournament as hosts.
For Nigeria, hopes of reaching a second consecutive AFCON final were dashed, and the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the third-place play-off against Egypt in Casablanca.
The semi-final itself was an absorbing, finely balanced affair. Both teams showed intent from the outset, trading early opportunities in an open first half.
Brahim Diaz came closest for Morocco with a curling effort that drifted narrowly wide, while Nwabali reacted sharply to deny Ismail Saibari. At the other end, Ademola Lookman tested Bounou with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Nigeria’s talisman Victor Osimhen was tightly marshalled throughout, with Morocco’s defence acutely aware of the danger any lapse in concentration could pose.
After the break, Morocco gradually took greater control, pushing higher up the pitch. Calvin Bassey was immense at the heart of Nigeria’s defence, using his strength and composure to withstand sustained pressure from the hosts.
Morocco’s best chance of the second half fell to Abde Ezzalzouli, whose curling strike from inside the box was expertly turned away by Nwabali.
As fatigue set in during extra time and the stakes rose, caution prevailed, with both sides opting for a safety-first approach. With no breakthrough forthcoming after 120 minutes, penalties were required — and it was Bounou’s night to shine, as Morocco marched on to a long-awaited AFCON final.
