Morocco beat Nigeria on Penalties to reach AFCON final
Hard fighting Nigeria held on down to the end of extra time for a goal less draw with Morocco only to lose the game on penalties 2:4.
In the penalty shootout, the Nigerian reliables like Lukeman, Iwobi, were not on the roll and the men selected lost two of the kicks leading to Nigeria’s exit.
Morocco will now face Senegal in the final game on Sunday. Earlier in the day Senegal had beaten Egypt by a lone goal scored by Sadio Mane deep into the second half.
Nigeria, on the other hand, will square up with Egypt for the third place game.
Youssef En-Nesyri struck the decisive spot kick in the shootout as Morocco dispatched Nigeria 4-2 on penalties.
Despite Hamza Igamane missing his penalty in the shootout for the hosts, Yacine Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and nervous Bruno Onyemeachi before substitute En-Nesyri beat Nwabali to send the capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the country’s capital into jubilant celebration.
Morocco had made the most of their possession during the first half, putting pressure on the visitors — in conjunction with a furious home support — during the opening moments, as Nigeria twice lost the ball with sloppy passing at the back, Abde Ezzalzouli snapping in to steal in ahead of Semi Ajayi, only for the West Bromwich Albion centre back to tackle back and deny him a scoring opportunity.
