Hosts Morocco will meet Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a dramatic semi-final double-header.
Morocco sealed their place in Sunday’s showpiece in Rabat by edging Nigeria 4–2 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time.
Earlier in Tangier, Senegal booked a return to the AFCON title decider with a narrow 1–0 victory over Egypt, ending the Pharaohs’ hopes of extending their record haul of seven AFCON titles.
Another Chance Gone for Nigeria While Morocco Dreams
Backed by a passionate home crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Morocco won the battle of tactics and nerves against an equally disciplined Nigerian side across 120 minutes in a tense affair defined by structure rather than flair.
Neither side found a breakthrough as defences dominated and both sets of forwards were starved of opportunities, leaving penalties as the inevitable decider.
From the spot, Morocco converted four of their five attempts, with Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri stroking home the winning kick, while Yassine Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi.
The shootout win took Walid Regragui’s side into their first AFCON final in 21 years (since 2004), with the chance to be crowned African champions for the first time since 1976, the year the North Africans last hosted — and last lifted — the trophy.
The result also extended Morocco’s unbeaten run to 26 international matches, their longest in history and a run that began after their last-16 exit at AFCON 2023.
Against a disciplined Moroccan back line, Nigeria’s star-studded frontline — Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams — never clicked as in previous matches, with the Atlas Lions squeezing spaces and cutting supply lines.
Nigeria sorely missed their captain Wilfred Ndidi, unavailable due to suspension, and playmaker Alex Iwobi was limited to half chances by a sturdy Moroccan midfield that cut off passing lanes. Osimhen, who has scored four goals, and winger Ademola Lookman, provider of four assists, were starved of service. Osimhen’s only sight of goal came from distance, while Lookman’s first-half drive was comfortably saved.
At the opposite end, Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz missed Morocco’s clearest chance, miscuing a header from Achraf Hakimi’s cross, and later curled wide from the edge of the box.
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, outstanding all night, delivered a defensive masterclass as he marshalled Nigeria’s back line. Nigeria — the tournament’s top scorers — will now contest the third-place play-off, extending their wait for a fourth AFCON crown.
Senegal Crush Mohamed Salah’s AFCON hopes
Senegal’s victory over Egypt came courtesy of captain Sadio Mané, the hero of the 2021 AFCON final, who struck the decisive goal with a clean strike in the 78th minute. It ended hopes for Egypt and Mohamed Salah in their quest for a record-extending eighth AFCON title, and the Pharaohs were eliminated in the semi-finals for the second straight edition. Salah has yet to lift the AFCON trophy with Egypt.
Morocco will attempt to complete a memorable home campaign against a Senegal team aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2021.
The AFCON 2025 final will be played on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, while Egypt and Eric Chelle’s Nigeria will clash in the third-place play-off on Saturday, January 17, at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
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