Morocco Advances to AFCON Final after Thrilling Semifinal Shootout Victory

Yassine Bounou Shines

Morocco’s journey in AFCON has been impressive, largely thanks to Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, who scored in every previous match. He was key in Morocco’s attacking plays.

However, against Nigeria, Diaz had a quieter game. He struggled with fitness after playing for more than 90 minutes and faced tough marking from Nigeria, especially from defender Bruno Onyemaechi, which limited Morocco’s scoring chances.

With Diaz less effective, Morocco leaned on its strong defense. Full-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi contained Nigeria’s attacks, but goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the standout performer. He made two vital saves during the penalty shootout, including an exceptional one-handed save that helped secure the victory. Bounou remained calm under pressure and was key to Morocco’s AFCON final appearance.

Nigeria’s Disappointment

Nigeria played well for much of the semifinal, but the loss is a significant disappointment.

After a poor World Cup qualifying campaign that saw them miss the tournament, Nigeria was eager to show they could still compete at a high level in AFCON. They entered the tournament as the highest-scoring team with 14 goals.

In this semifinal, Nigeria’s top offense faced Morocco’s leading defense, but they fell short. Key players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams struggled to make an impact, managing only two shots, while Morocco recorded 16 attempts.

Exciting Final Ahead

Morocco and Senegal are set for an engaging final, both teams have been consistent throughout the tournament. They are previous AFCON winners and have experienced coaches guiding them.

The AFCON final will take place in Rabat on Sunday, Jan. 18.