Hosts Morocco booked their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after holding Nigeria to a goalless draw for 120 minutes before prevailing on penalties in a tense semi-final showdown in Rabat on Wednesday.

With neither side able to find a breakthrough in regulation or extra time, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the decisive figure in the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to keep Walid Regragui’s men on course for a first continental title on home soil.

Morocco began on the front foot and almost capitalised on an early error from Semi Ajayi, whose misplaced pass gifted possession to Saibari. The midfielder shaped to shoot but Ajayi recovered superbly to make a crucial block. Moments later, Brahim Díaz tested his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the box that drifted narrowly wide.

Nigeria gradually settled into the contest and fashioned their first opening in the 13th minute when Ademola Lookman’s long-range strike was comfortably saved by Bounou. Eric Chelle’s side attempted to impose themselves, but Morocco’s aggressive pressing disrupted their rhythm and limited clear opportunities.

The hosts threatened again around the half-hour mark. El Kaabi failed to connect with a close-range header, before Díaz headed wide seconds later. At the other end, Victor Osimhen’s relentless pressing caused brief panic in the Moroccan area, though Nigeria could not turn the moment into a goal.

Nigeria suffered a setback in the 33rd minute when Calvin Bassey was booked, ruling him out of the next match. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali kept the Super Eagles level just before the interval, producing a sharp save to deny Saibari from close range.

The second half opened with renewed intensity. Morocco nearly struck six minutes after the restart when Saibari won possession in midfield and slipped Ezzalzouli through on goal, only for Nwabali to make another fine save. Nigeria responded with growing momentum after the hour, as Alex Iwobi searched for space and creativity, but the Moroccan backline remained composed.

Defensively, Bassey was alert to snuff out several dangerous runs from El Kaabi, while the hosts were denied a late penalty appeal in the 80th minute following a VAR review.

With the deadlock unbroken after 90 minutes, the contest moved into extra time. Both teams continued to probe for a decisive moment, but fatigue and disciplined defending ensured neither could find the breakthrough, sending the tie to penalties.

In the shootout, Bounou delivered when it mattered most, saving twice to seal Morocco’s passage into the final, where they will face Senegal. Nigeria, meanwhile, will turn their attention to the third-place playoff against Egypt.