AFCON 2025: Morocco beat shameful Nigeria for their first final in 22 years

The Atlas Lions were favorites at the start of the AFCON in which they are hosts. They are also the best-placed African team in FIFA‘s rankings and the pressure on Morocco was huge.

But now it got even bigger as Atlas Lions reached their first final since 2004 and will fight Senegal for their only second AFCON title! After a boring semi-final game which ended 0-0 in 120 minutes, Morocco were better during the penalty shootout and defeated Nigeria, who played shamefully and deserved to be eliminated.

This was one of the worst game in this year‘s tournament, if we consider the strength of the teams involved. The stakes were high – a place in the finals, but despite that, both teams should have played this game much, much better. Instead of goals and chances we was calculating tactics, based on defense first, and the Super Eagles were dominating in that department. The attacking trio Adams – Lookman – Osimhen was awful to say at least, while the complete starting 11 managed one shot on target during whole the 120 minutes (and that happened in the first half)!

Morocco was far more agile but apart from good defending from Nigeria, the Atlas Lions were under huge pressure as favorites and failed to convert any of their few chances. Both coaches didn‘t make any changes until 80th minute and Nigeria boss Eric Chelle even pulled out Osimhen four minutes before the penalties. And then Bono managed to save two shots and got his team in position to win their first AFCON since 1976. Chukwueze and B. Onyemaechi missed for the Super Eagles, while Igamane was the only one who failed to convert for the hosts.

We didn‘t witness a particularly exciting first half. There were few chances on both sides but not a single one could be called a clear opportunity. Real‘s Diaz tried his luck after only nine minutes but the goal went near the post. Nigeria fans had to wait 15 minutes to see their team create a first opportunity. It was Lookman who got the ball from Iwobi but his shot was tamed by Bono. Hakimi nearly scored in the 35th minute, but his shot from a free kick whistled near the post. Saibari was the next one in line for Morocco but Nigeria keeper Nwabili saved it.

AFCON 2025: Mane fires Senegal to final as Salah's Egypt bow out

The second half was a continuation of a boring display from both teams. The hosts had the first chance through El Kaabi, but the shot wasn‘t so powerful and Nwabili was vigilant so nothing happened. The Super Eagles managed to get hold of possession at one point but failed to register a single shot on target until minute. Finally something happened in the 82nd minute. Ezzalzouli was in a position to shoot but Nwabali was again positioned to make a good save.

After such a boring 90 minutes and with the AFCON final at stake, nobody expected anything exciting in overtime. Hakimi's corner kick travelled to the far post, where Aguerd got a touch on the ball but not enough. It hit the outside of the post in the 93rd minute and that was all that happened in the first 15 minutes. It was even worse in the second part where no chances were seen. Everybody were waiting for the penalties, and when they finally came, Bono shined with two saves, especially the second one, which stood as he walked across the goal line and then came back to the middle of the goal for the save. His teammate Y. En-Nesyri then finished the job with the winning goal.

AFCON 2025 - 1/2 FINALS

Wednesday

Senegal - Egypt 1-0 (0-0)

/Mane 78/

Nigeria - Morocco 0-0 (2-4 after penalties)