Post by : Meena
Hassan
Morocco is one step closer to securing an Africa Cup of Nations title, having defeated Nigeria 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a tense semi-final that ended in a 0-0 draw following extra time. The match was held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where an enthusiastic crowd of 65,458 supported their team throughout the gripping encounter.
Key to Morocco's success was goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who made two critical saves during the penalty shootout. His composure and quick reflexes were invaluable, propelling Morocco to a face-off with Senegal in the final.
During the match, both teams battled fiercely, but neither could secure a clear scoring opportunity across 120 minutes. Nigeria, known for their aggressive play style in the tournament, struggled against Morocco's sturdy defense, while the Moroccan side faced similar challenges against Nigeria’s disciplined setup.
When the match moved to penalties, Morocco took an early lead when Bounou thwarted Samuel Chukwueze’s opening attempt, igniting the crowd's jubilation. Nigeria's Stanley Nwabali then responded by saving Hamza Igamane’s shot, swinging the momentum momentarily back to Nigeria.
Bounou stepped up again, executing a brilliant save against Bruno Onyemaechi, putting Morocco in a favorable position. Youssef En-Nesyri later sealed the victory with a calm penalty, leading to euphoria among fans. Apart from Igamane’s missed attempt, Morocco’s penalty takers displayed commendable poise.
Following the match, coach Walid Regragui commended his players, emphasizing the difficulty of the challenge they faced and celebrating for both the team and their supporters. He acknowledged the need for his squad to recover quickly after such an intense game.
The weight of expectations has been heavy for Morocco throughout the tournament, as fans yearn to see the national team lift the trophy, which hasn’t happened since 1976. The home advantage has fueled those hopes, with the team's confidence building after a strong quarter-final win over Cameroon.
Morocco is now set to clash with Senegal in the AFCON final, with Senegal having defeated Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final thanks to Sadio Mané’s goal. This final will feature the two top-ranked African teams, promising an exciting and competitive showdown.
The defeat was a tough pill for Nigeria to swallow. After finishing as runners-up two years ago, they aimed to secure their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title but struggled to convert their scoring opportunities in Rabat. Despite boasting star players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, they were unable to match their earlier tournament success.
Coach Eric Chelle noted that while his team fought tenaciously, they accepted that losing on penalties is part of the game. He acknowledged the challenge of competing against Morocco, especially in front of their fervent home support.
The electrifying atmosphere contributed significantly to the match, with Moroccan fans rallying vocally as Nigeria sought control of the game. Supporters who had previously criticized the team during group stages were now fully behind them, providing crucial backing during tough phases of the match.
The match commenced energetically, with Morocco's Brahim Díaz and Nigeria's Ademola Lookman each testing the opposing goalkeepers. As the game progressed, however, both sides showed a more defensive approach, leading to an inevitable penalty shootout.
Morocco's experience in shootouts, highlighted by their notable World Cup victory over Spain, likely proved decisive once more. With the final in sight, the Moroccan dream of clinching the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home turf is alive, while Nigeria will focus on preparing for the third-place play-off against Egypt.
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