Hosts Morocco advanced to the final of African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) after beating Nigeria 4-2 on penalties at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

It was a tough night for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

At the end of 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time, the score remained 0-0.

This was the first time Morocco have won a shootout at AFCON.

The Atlas Lions were the first to take penalties, and Neil El Aynaoui scored.

Paul Onuachu then scored for the Super Eagles.

Morocco were the first to taste disappointment when Hamza Igamane failed to score for the hosts.

However, that proved to be their only miss, as Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze stepped up next and failed to convert.

Ben Seghir restored hope for the hosts when he curled his penalty into the goal from 12 yards.

Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru then scored, before Morocco captain Ashraf Hakimi calmly rolled the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Moments later, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Onyemaechi’s effort, completely extinguishing Nigeria’s hopes.

The Moroccan fans erupted in celebration when En-Nesyri smashed home the winning penalty.

At the end Bounou outclassed Stanley Nwabali in terms of number of penalties the two goalkeepers saved.

The AFCON final, to be played on Sunday, 18 January 2026, will be a clash of the big cats, as hosts Morocco take on Senegal, popularly known as the Teranga Lions.

Senegal beat Egypt 1-0 in the first semi-final played in Tangier, Morocco.

Sadio Mane scored for Senegal.