English:
Penalty Shootout Decides Thrilling Nigeria-Morocco Semifinal in Rabat
Rabat witnessed a thrilling and tense encounter between Nigeria and Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The match, held at the Complexe Sportif Moulay Abdellah, was characterized by an intense midfield battle, reflected in the close possession percentages: 51% for Nigeria and 49% for Morocco.
While Nigeria maintained a slight advantage in possession, it was Morocco who generated a greater volume of offensive play, with 16 total shots compared to Nigeria’s scarce 2. However, the Nigerian defensive solidity, albeit at the cost of 29 fouls resulting in two yellow cards (to C. Bassey and R. Onyedika), largely contained the Moroccan attacks. Morocco, for their part, committed 22 fouls and received no warnings.
The match went into extra time without either team being able to break the initial tie. The game was decided by a dramatic penalty shootout. Morocco scored with N. El Aynaoui, E. Ben Seghir, A. Hakimi and Y. En Nesyri, while H. Igamane missed his shot. For Nigeria, P. Onuachu and F. Dele-Bashiru converted, but B. Onyemaechi and S. Chukwueze missed their shots, unleashing euphoria in the Moroccan camp. Morocco eventually advanced to the final.
Substitutions nigeria: at minute 83 R. Onyedika came in and M. Simon went out., at minute 98 A. Adams came in and F. Dele-Bashiru went out., at minute 118 V. Osimhen came in and P. Onuachu went out., at minute 120 F. Onyeka came in and S. Chukwueze went out.
Substitutions morocco: at minute 84 A. El Kaabi came in and O. Targhalline went out., at minute 84 B. El Khannouss came in and H. Igamane went out., at minute 103 A. Ezzalzouli came in and Y. En Nesyri went out., at minute 108 B. Diaz came in and I. Akhomach went out., at minute 118 I. Saibari came in and E. Ben Seghir went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
Nigeria
Titulares:
Morocco
Titulares:
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