Morocco has reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Nigeria 4-2 in a penalty shootout, following a 0-0 draw in front of 65,458 spectators at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Youssef El-Nesyri scored the winning penalty, while Yassine “Bono” Bounou saved two penalties to secure Morocco’s spot in the final.
The match was intense, with both teams creating few scoring opportunities. Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved one penalty but was beaten by Bono in the shootout. The win has sparked widespread celebrations across Morocco, with fans gathering in Casablanca and Rabat to follow the match.
In the other semi-final, Senegal edged past Egypt to book their place in the final. The match was closely contested, but Senegal’s Sadio Mané scored a crucial goal to send his team to the final. Thousands of Senegal supporters celebrated long into the night, with scenes of jubilation reported in Tangier.
The final, scheduled for January 18, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two African football heavyweights. Morocco, the host nation, will face Senegal in a match that is expected to be closely contested. Before the final, Egypt will face Nigeria in the third-place playoff on January 17.
The Africa Cup of Nations has reached its climax, with the final set to be played in Rabat. The tournament has been marked by intense matches and dramatic finishes, with Morocco’s penalty shootout win over Nigeria being the latest example. The stage is now set for a thrilling final, with Morocco seeking to win the title on home soil.
Morocco’s fans are ecstatic about their team’s chances, with many believing that they can win the title. “We don’t care how we win, we just want to be in the final and bring home the AFCON trophy,” said one Morocco supporter. The final is expected to be a sell-out, with fans from across Africa and beyond expected to attend.
The Africa Cup of Nations has been a resounding success, with the tournament showcasing the best of African football. The final promises to be an exciting encounter, with two of the continent’s top teams competing for the title. All eyes will be on Rabat on January 18 as Morocco and Senegal clash in the final.
Journalist: Mohamed Elashi
Video editor: Christophe Pitiot
