Hosts Morocco survived a nervy night in Rabat to see off Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Youssef En-Nesyri stroked the winning spot-kick into the bottom-left corner after Yassine Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi.
In a game of few chances a shootout looked a likely outcome from early in proceedings.
Tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz squandered Morocco’s best opening just before the half hour, misjudging a header from Achraf Hakimi’s right-wing cross, with the Real Madrid forward’s effort coming more off his shoulder.
Nigeria’s star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were left to feed off scraps all evening, with Lookman’s first-half drive from just outside the penalty area easily saved.
The result means Walid Regragui’s side have reached their first Afcon final since 2004, as they bid to lift the trophy for the first time since 1976.
The Atlas Lions will remain in the capital for Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT) – where they will face Senegal, who beat Egypt 1-0 in Wednesday’s first semi-final.
Morocco are now unbeaten in 26 matches – a run stretching back to their last-16 exit at the 2023 Afcon.
But this is only their second Afcon final – having won the 1976 tournament via a final group phase and lost to Tunisia in 2004 – which explains why the fans in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and across the country, are so desperate to see their team claim the title on home soil.
For more than a decade, King Mohammed VI has pumped huge amounts of money into Moroccan football, using it as a tool for cultural and societal change.
Having impressed by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022, being crowned continental champions is the final piece of the puzzle.
Just like the quarter-final win over Cameroon, the atmosphere inside this newly renovated stadium was frenzied.
But unlike the game against the Indomitable Lions, Nigeria’s more experienced side were able to soak up the early pressure and limit their hosts’ opportunities.
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey in particular was outstanding for Eric Chelle’s side, despite picking up a harsh yellow card in the 33rd minute after his hand caught Diaz in the face – a booking which would have meant missing the final through suspension.
As well as his misjudged header, Diaz curled an early effort wide of Stanley Nwabali’s goal, having cut in from the right flank, while the keeper also made a good block at his near post after Ismael Saibari did well to juggle the ball and fashion a pocket of space for himself.
Chances were at even more of a premium after half-time, which might explain the huge appeals for a penalty when captain Hakimi fired a shot towards goal that hit Bassey’s arm.
But, having taken a touch off another defender, and also having struck his stomach first, the video assistant referee (VAR) was right not to get involved.
Morocco, who claimed a fourth clean sheet of the tournament, also dominated extra time without finding a clear-cut opening.
Nigeria went into the shootout without captain Osimhen, with Chelle withdrawing his star striker with just under three minutes of extra time to play.
Whatever his reasons, it is a decision the Malian may come to regret, with Nigerian fans famously unforgiving of failure.
Osimhen’s replacement, Paul Onuachu, did at least slide home his opening spot-kick for the Super Eagles, levelling things up after Neil El Aynaoui sent Nwabali the wrong way.
Hamza Igamane, who had been lively after his introduction as a substitute, was the first to miss, seeing Nwabali dive full length to his right to tip the ball around the post, but Fulham’s Chukwueze immediately blew the West Africans’ advantage with a terrible effort that Bounou was able to flop on top of.
Eliesse Ben Seghir, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Hakimi all then traded successful strikes before Bounou make a remarkable save to deny Onyemaechi.
Having jumped to his left, the African goalkeeper of the year was still nimble enough to halt his momentum, lean back to his right and stick out a strong hand to block the effort fired down the middle by Nigeria’s left-back.
It gave striker En-Nesyri, who is approaching 100 caps for his country, the opportunity to make himself a hero, with the Moroccan bench emptying on to the pitch as jubilant fans, who had been standing for most of the game, danced and twirled flags to celebrate their side moving another step closer to what seems like a date with destiny.
Nigeria have now lost five games in a row to Morocco at Afcon and their dreams of a fourth title are ended late again, having lost to hosts Ivory Coast in the final two years ago.
They also suffer penalty heartbreak for the second time in a matter of months, after losing to DR Congo in the final of African World Cup play-offs back in November.
The Atlas Lions are the 15th host nation to reach a final on home soil, but few coaches will have felt as much pressure as Regragui is likely to in the build-up to Sunday.
A kingdom, and its king, expect, but Sadio Mane and Senegal’s other stars, who were champions in 2021, will have high hopes of spoiling the royal party.
