Morocco secured their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Wednesday night, narrowly defeating Nigeria in a dramatic semi-final that was decided by penalties after 120 minutes of goalless football.
Gossip News Now reports that the match was fiercely contested, with both sides neutralizing each other throughout regulation and extra time. Morocco eventually held their nerve to prevail 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
Nigeria’s ambitions of reaching the final ended when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their penalties, giving the Atlas Lions a decisive advantage.
Following the victory, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui praised his team’s resilience and dedication, emphasizing that their physical and mental commitment was key against a determined Nigerian squad.
“We suffered a lot during the match, and reaching the AFCON final on home soil is a truly special reward,” Regragui said.
He highlighted the exhausting nature of the encounter, noting that his players had to dig deep to match the Super Eagles physically.
“Now our focus is on recovery because the effort was enormous. Playing extra time in such a challenging match drained a lot of energy,” he added.
Regragui credited the team’s unity with each other and the support from home fans as crucial factors behind the victory. The atmosphere, he said, inspired the players to persevere under pressure.
“I congratulate the Nigerian team and coach Eric Chelle for the outstanding work they have done,” he stated.
“I also extend my congratulations to our players and fans. Together, we fought relentlessly for this win without exception.”
Despite their elimination, Nigeria impressed with a disciplined and organized performance, keeping Morocco’s attacking threats in check and forcing the game into penalties. Missed spot-kicks ultimately cost the Super Eagles a place in the final.
Looking ahead, Morocco will now focus on recovery as they prepare for the AFCON final, buoyed by the support of their fans and the confidence gained from overcoming one of Africa’s strongest teams.
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