Nigeria v Morocco live: Penalties decide nervy Afcon semi-final as Senegal learn opponents
Nigeria 0-0 Morocco (Morocco wins 4-2 on penalties): The hosts are one win away from a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years and will take on Senegal on Sunday
Hosts Morocco will play for their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976 after advancing to Sunday’s final thanks to a nervy penalty shoot-out win over Nigeria in Rabat.
After a tense 120 minutes were goalless, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi in the shoot-out as Youssef En-Nesyri scored the decisive kick to send Morocco into a final against Senegal. Neil El Aynaoui, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Achraf Hakimi also scored for Morocco.
Nigeria managed just two shots across the 120 minutes, with one on target, while boss Eric Chelle made the surprise decision to take off captain and star striker Victor Osimhen two minutes before the shoot-out. It backfired when Chukwueze, one of two late substitutes sent on, was denied by Bounou.
Earlier, Sadio Mane was the hero for Senegal as he scored the winning goal against Egypt. Senegal will be bidding for a second Africa Cup of Nations crown, having won their first title four years ago.
Follow all the action from Nigeria v Morocco in our live blog below:
Afcon 2025: How to watch every match for free on TV and online
The Africa Cup of Nations is nearing its climax, with the final now set as hosts Morocco face Senegal.
And the showpiece event will be available to watch in the United Kingdom across Channel 4.
The broadcaster has secured exclusive rights to the 24-team tournament and will show every game on Channel 4, E4 or 4Seven, or online on Channel 4’s streaming service.
How to watch every Africa Cup of Nations match
Sadio Mane sends Senegal through to Afcon final as Mohamed Salah’s Egypt bow out
Sadio Mane thrashed home a dramatic winner 12 minutes from full-time to send Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final after they edged Egypt 1-0 in a tense last-four encounter on Wednesday.
It was as much as Senegal deserved after they dominated the match, with Egypt not having any shots at goal or even forcing a corner before they conceded.
Senegal found it tough, however, to break down a resolute Egypt defence and it was only a fortuitous deflection that set up Mane’s strike.
Sadio Mane sends Senegal through to Afcon final as Mohamed Salah’s Egypt bow out
When is the Afcon final?
The 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations will take place this Sunday, 18 January at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Kick-off is set for 7pm GMT, and it will be televised live in the UK on E4, with coverage starting at 6.30pm.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen decision backfires in painful Africa Cup of Nations semi-final defeat
Yassine Bounou saved two penalties and Youssef En-Nesyri netted the decisive spot kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shootout victory over Nigeria following their 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat.
Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, will face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff a day before.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen decision backfires in painful Africa Cup of Nations defeat
Afcon final is set
So, hosts Morocco will face Senegal in the final of the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations!
The Atlas Lions will contest their first final since 2004 as they look to win the tournament for just the second time and a first since 1976.
They’ll face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s final. with the Teranga Lions having beaten Egypt earlier today.
Senegal are also looking for just their second Afcon title, having been runners-up in 2019 and 2002.
Mikel: 'Nigeria should be proud'
Former Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel had the following to say after the last of the penalties:
“The Nigeria boys should be proud of what they have done. They have come up short against a very good team in Morocco. I think Morocco deserve it.
“Over the 120 minutes they were the better side. They attacked, they looked like they wanted to score goals and win the game. They gave a bit more,” added the former Chelsea man.
Morocco 'very relieved'
“I’m very relieved,” says former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul on E4.
“I know it is very harsh for the Nigerians to lose like this. They have been the most entertaining team in this Afcon and they can be proud of the football they have produced.
“Morocco carry onto the final, they played the more attacking football but now they play against a very good Senegalese team,” he added.
MOROCCO BEAT NIGERIA 4-2 ON PENALTIES
Morocco will contest their first Afcon final since 2004, as they face Senegal in Sunday’s showpiece event in Rabat.
Nigeria will take on Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday evening in Casablanca.
MOROCCO BEAT NIGERIA 4-2 ON PENALTIES
GOAL!
Youssef En-Nesyri with a confident run up and he priduces the best penalty of the shooutout, fizzing it low and right inti the bottom corner past Nwabali to give the Atlas Lions the win!
Morocco will contest the Afcon final against Senegal on Sunday!
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