Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to set up AFCON final with Senegal Africa Cup of Nations News

After the match ended 0-0 after extra time, Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the AFCON final.

Yassin Bouno saved two penalties and Youssef N-Nessiri scored from a decisive spot kick for hosts Morocco. 4-2 shootout win 0-0 draw against Nigeria in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat.

Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria face Egypt in a third-place playoff a day earlier.

Both sides had a few clear-cut chances before the 120 minutes of Wednesday’s shootout, but it was Morocco who created the bigger chances, although they were denied by some good saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria had the tournament’s best run-scoring record coming into the semi-finals, but offered little going forward in a limp display.

And when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemachi saw their penalty saved in the shootout, they were left to reflect on a less ambitious performance.

Morocco have been as workmanlike and efficient as they have been in all competitions, even if they are yet to find their best form.

They are on the brink of a first continental crown since 1976, but their biggest challenge lies in a dominant Senegal side who beat Egypt 1-0 thanks to Sadio Mane’s winner in the first semi-final in Tangier earlier on Wednesday.

There was no chance on goal in the first half hour in Rabat until Achraf Hakimi’s corner went into the path of Ayoub El Kaabi five yards from goal.

But he was torn between turning and whether to shoot or overhead kick and ultimately didn’t miss the chance.

Morocco dominated chances as Nigeria failed to fire

Morocco’s Ismail Saibari showed great skill in taking a shooting opportunity, but Nawabali was just as good with his effort.

He was by far the busiest defender in the game, but Morocco were mostly reduced to long-range efforts that were comfortable enough to save.

Nigeria had few chances and when talisman Victor Osimhen received a pass in the box, his touch was poor and a rare opportunity was missed.

The hosts went close, with Nayef Aguirre’s header off the post from a corner, but penalties looked inevitable before the 120 minutes were up.

And after Bouno’s save, N-Nessiri scored the decisive spot-kick to send his side into their first final since their 2004 loss to Tunisia.