Hosts Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after the game ended goalless in regulation time to book their spot in Sunday’s AFCON final, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, who have been strong on their way into the last four, started the game on the back foot, but soon regained their composure as they started to get a fair share of the ball possession.
Inside the packed 68-000 capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the hosts could have gone ahead when Ismael Saibari intercepted Semi Ajayi’s poor pass, but the lanky defender recovered brilliantly to block the attempted effort. Moments later, Brahim Diaz went close for the hosts as his effort flashed wide of the mark.
At the quarter of an hour, Nigeria managed to beat the Moroccan press before Ademola Lookman tried his luck from distance byt goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a smart stop. After those early moments, the two teams continue to cancel each other out. The next chance did not come until the 35th minute when Achraf Hakimi sent his effort from a free-kick just wide of the post.
Five minutes from the break, Noussair Mazraoui turned a couple of Nigerian defenders in the box before unleashing a fierce strike towards goal, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a decent stop to keep the game goalless. That was the last meaningful attempt of the half as the managed stayed goalless at half-time.
When hostilities resumed after the break, the Atlas Lions of Morocco continued their search for the game’s opening goal, but Nigeria’s defence, led by Basseey, kept them at bay. Lookman was visibly fouled in the centre, but the referee, Daniel Laryea, waved play on, as Nwabali denied Abde Ezzalzouli from just inside the box.
From that moment on, the game settled into a tight contest with little or no chances being created. The game finished goalless after 120 minutes, needing a penalty shootout to determine who would advance to Sunday’s final. In the resulting spot-kicks, Nigeria scored just twice, as Morocco scored four of their own spot-kicks to win the shootout.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final that will be played at the same Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
