Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final. The match was a semifinal played on Wednesday in Côte d’Ivoire. The result set up a final between Morocco and Senegal.
The game ended 1-1 after regular and extra time. Morocco scored first in the opening half. Sofyan Amrabat converted a penalty in the 25th minute. The spot kick came after a foul in the penalty area.
Nigeria equalised before halftime. Terem Moffi scored with a header from a set play. His goal brought the score to 1-1. The teams remained level through the second half and extra time.
With the tie still deadlocked, the match went to a penalty shootout. Morocco won the shootout 4-2. Goalkeepers and outfield players took turns from the spot. Morocco converted more attempts than Nigeria to secure victory.
Morocco’s keeper saved at least one Nigerian penalty during the shootout. Nigeria missed multiple kicks, giving Morocco a decisive advantage. Both sides followed the standard five kick sequence before the result was decided.
The final will take place later this week in Côte d’Ivoire. Morocco will face Senegal, who reached the final by beating Egypt in their semifinal match. The date and venue for the final were confirmed by tournament organisers.
Morocco’s path to the final included group stage matches and knockout round victories. In the quarterfinal, Morocco defeated its opponent to advance. The team continued unbeaten through regulation and extra time before the shootout win over Nigeria.
Nigeria reached the semifinals by winning its quarterfinal match. The team finished the group stage with enough points to advance. Nigeria’s tournament run ended with the loss on penalties to Morocco.
The Africa Cup of Nations uses extra time in knockout matches when games are tied after 90 minutes. If the tie persists after extra time, a penalty shootout determines the winner. Morocco and Nigeria followed this format in their semifinal.
Tournament officials confirmed the match’s key events and penalty results after the game. The shootout sequence drew attention for its tight scoreline. Both teams prepared for penalties during extra time.
Morocco’s coach praised the team’s defensive organisation during the match. Nigeria’s coach noted his side created multiple chances but was unable to convert them. Post-match comments focused on the shootout result.
The final will be contested by two West African nations, Morocco and Senegal. Both teams qualified as semifinal winners. The Africa Cup of Nations final will determine the continental champion for the current tournament.
The match between Morocco and Senegal will be a separate event. Both finalists will train ahead of the decisive game. Fans of both nations plan to attend the final in Côte d’Ivoire. The tournament’s remainder will feature award ceremonies after the final.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/morocco-beat-nigeria-penalties-set-up-cup-nations-final-v-senegal-2026-01-14/
