Hosts Morocco Keep Title Dream Alive with Penalty Shootout Win Over Nigeria

Tournament hosts Morocco remain on course for a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years after edging to a nervy penalty shootout victory in the semi-finals over Nigeria in Rabat.

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A lack of quality in the final third meant there were not too many chances early on. Brahim Diaz did have one for the hosts, but flashed wide across goal, before Ademola Lookman saw a strike saved at the other end.

The Atlas Lions then had two more openings around the 30-minute mark, firstly when the ball fell invitingly for Adam Masina in the six-yard box, but he could not angle an acrobatic effort goalwards, while Díaz sent another strike off target.

Achraf Hakimi was the next to come close, although his 22-yard free-kick only landed on the roof of the net, before Stanley Nwabali was tested for the first time, springing low to his right to palm away a fierce Ismael Saibiari effort that was arrowing into the bottom corner.

That proved to be the final real chance of a tight opening 45 minutes, making it only the second Nigeria game in this tournament to reach half-time without a goal.

They set about looking to break the deadlock immediately after the break, as Raphael Onyedika’s scuffed strike bounced wide. Not to be outdone, Abde Ezzalzouli went straight down the other end and was denied by Nwabali, but as the clock ticked on, proceedings became more and more cagey, with neither side wanting to concede an inch given the prize at stake.

Indeed, there was only one further opportunity before the 90 minutes were up, and it fell to Ezzalzouli, whose whipped, low effort from distance was saved.

Extra-time was therefore needed to separate two well-matched teams, and in the early stages of the first half, Nayef Aguerd directed a deep corner onto the outside of the post.

Hamza Igamane also bent wide after a cheeky nutmeg on Frank Onyeka, and shortly afterwards, the forward sent a hooked volley straight at the goalkeeper. At the other end, Eric Chelle’s men were impotent and had managed just two shots of their own by the conclusion, whereas Morocco nearly landed one final blow through Neil El Aynaoui, whose last-gasp long-range effort was too close to Nwabali.

It fell to a penalty shootout to decide who would face Senegal back in Rabat on Sunday, and Nigeria were handed an early advantage when Igamane’s strike was superbly saved. Samuel Chukwueze immediately saw his dreadful spot-kick kept out, though, thus restoring parity.

Both teams then traded goals, and after Hakimi had struck, Bruno Onyemaechi was denied by Yassine Bounou with an unorthodox save that saw the keeper almost overrun the ball.

That gave Youssef En-Nesyri the chance to become a national hero by guiding the Atlas Lions to victory, and he did just that with an emphatic finish as his side won 4-2 on penalties.