AFCON: Morocco edge Nigeria on penalties to reach final
In a nervy AFCON semifinal in Rabat, Morocco dominated before overcoming Nigeria on penalties. Catch up on all the action and how the stars of Ligue 1 McDonald's got on in the penultimate round of the tournament.
Morocco dominate the first half
In a boisterous atmosphere in Rabat, favorites and hosts Morocco, working under manager Walid Regragui, named an unchanged eleven, with Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi the captain at right back and Olympique de Marseille's Nayef Aguerd in at centre back. Nigeria also played the same eleven, save suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi, a diamond 4-4-2 with former Ligue 1 stars Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen leading the line.
In-form Brahim Diaz had the match's first chance on nine minutes, but fired wide of the left post. Nigeria were quick to reply, though, as Ademola Lookman stung the palms of Morocco 'keeper Bono five minutes later. Just before the half hour, Morocco pushed forward on the right, with Hakimi setting up Diaz, but he again fired wide. On 34 minutes Hakimi would test Nigeria 'keeper Stanley Nwabali with a free kick, but again in vain, and the first half ended scoreless.
They’ve done it. Hakimi and Aguerd will play the AFCON final at home! 🇲🇦🏠 pic.twitter.com/14tQDSkUfO
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 14, 2026
Bono the hero in the shootout
Into the second half, Nwabali was again sharp to deny Abde Ezzalzouli (54'), but from there the pace of the match dropped. Morocco had a shout for a penalty ten minutes from time as Hakimi's shot struck the arm of Calvin Bassey, but the tie would be decided in added time. On 93 minutes, Aguerd, who had struck the winner against PSG in the league in September, saw his header from a corner glance off the post, but there were no stronger chances, and the match headed to a shootout.
LOSC Lille striker Hamza Igamane, who had come off the bench was devastated to see his penalty saved, but Bono then kept out Samuel Chukweze to level the shootout. After conversions by Hakimi and former AS Monaco winger Eliesse Ben Seghir, Bono saved again, and the hosts were through to Sunday's final against Senegal.
