Hosts Morocco have reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Nigeria following a goalless 120 minutes in Rabat.
Yassine Bounou was the hero for the Atlas Lions, saving spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi to spark wild celebrations at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Youssef En-Nesyri stroked home the winning penalty to secure Morocco’s first appearance in an AFCON final since 2004, where they will face holders Senegal on Sunday.
For Nigeria, the defeat ends a flawless run of five consecutive wins in the tournament and leaves the Super Eagles to contest the third-place play-off against Egypt.
HOSTS. HISTORY. FINALISTS. 🇲🇦
The Atlas Lions are into
the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 final. pic.twitter.com/mkQRuAoknw— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2026
Bounou the barrier
In a cagey affair that produced few clear-cut openings, it was the goalkeepers who took center stage. Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali produced a string of vital saves in normal time, most notably tipping Abde Ezzalzouli’s curling effort around the post.
However, after a tactical stalemate in extra time, the pressure shifted to the spot. While Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru converted, Bounou’s experience told as he denied Chukwueze and Onyemaechi.
Penalty Shootout:
- Morocco: El Aynaoui (O), Igamane (X), Ben Seghir (O), Hakimi (O), En-Nesyri (O)
- Nigeria: Onuachu (O), Chukwueze (X), Dele-Bashiru (O), Onyemaechi (X)
A much-welcome surprise for Bounou. And welcome to the final, Morocco. 🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/aAnmuKw4dY
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2026
Osimhen gamble fails
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle raised eyebrows by withdrawing talismanic striker and captain Victor Osimhen in the final minute of extra time, presumably to bring on specialist penalty takers.
The gamble backfired as Nigeria lacked their clinical edge in the shootout. Osimhen, who had battled tirelessly against Nayef Aguerd all evening, could only watch from the sidelines as the Super Eagles’ dream of a fourth title slipped away.
Night for the Atlas Lions
This was a victory of patience and nerve. Morocco carried the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders tonight, and for long periods, it looked as though the tension might get the better of them. Nigeria’s defensive block was superb—led by the imperious Calvin Bassey—but they offered almost nothing in transition.
In the end, Morocco’s “Golden Generation” found a way. They were more composed when the lottery of penalties arrived, and in Bounou, they have a goalkeeper who thrives on these historic moments. Rabat will not sleep tonight; the hosts are exactly where they wanted to be.
AFCON 2025: Schedule, results and standings of the Africa Cup of Nations
What’s Next
Morocco remain in the capital to face Senegal in Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT), while Nigeria travel to Tangier to face Egypt in the third-place play-off on Saturday.
