The Atlas Lions of Morocco will play Senegal in the 2025 AFCON final this Sunday at the 68,000-seater Prince Moulay Stadium in Rabat, after edging Nigeria 4-2 via post-match penalties in the last semi-final on Wednesday night.
Both sides couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes in the entertaining scoreless semi-final played at the Prince Moulay stadium in Rabat.
Morocco were the dominant side of the day with more goal-scoring opportunities, but Nigeria’s keeper Victor Nwabaly made great saves to ensure the Super Eagles and the Atlas Lions could only be separated through spot kicks.
Neil El Aynaoui and Paul Onuachu successfully converted the initial penalties for their teams, but Nigeria seemed to gain an edge when Stanley Nwabali blocked Hamza Igamane’s shot.
The advantage was short-lived, however, as Bounou expertly anticipated Chukwueze’s attempt, levelling the score.
Eliesse Ben Seghir and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru remained composed in the following round, and then captain Achraf Hakimi confidently put Morocco ahead 3-2, with the second-to-last kick.
Bounou then made a crucial save, extending a strong hand to deny Onyemaechi’s shot. With the crowd in suspense, Youssef En-Nesyri stepped up and coolly scored the winning penalty, sending the Rabat fans into a frenzy and securing a memorable night for the home team.
Both Morocco and Senegal will be in the hunt for their 2nd AFCON trophy in Sunday’s final, which will be a Lions derby, Morocco winning the title in 1976 while Senegal emerged victors in 2021.
Egypt and Nigeria will square it out on Saturday at the Mohammed V stadium in Casablanca in a bronze medal match.
