Yassine Bounou saved two penalties and Youssef En-Nesyri scored the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Nigeria following their 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.
Morocco, seeking its first continental title in 50 years, will face 2021 winner Senegal in the decisive match on Sunday in Rabat, while Nigeria will face Egypt the day before in the third place play-offs.
The 120 minutes leading up to the shootout produced few clear-cut chances for either team, but it was Morocco who created the biggest chances, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria had the best score of the competition heading into the semi-final, but offered little progress in a sluggish performance.
And when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi saw their tame penalties saved in the shootout, they were left to reflect on a performance that showed little ambition.
Morocco showed professionalism and efficiency, as it has throughout the competition, even if it has yet to find its best form.
They are on the verge of winning their first continental crown since 1976, but their biggest challenge lies ahead with an impressive Senegalese side who beat Egypt 1-0 thanks to Sadio Mané’s winner in the first semi-final in Tangier earlier on Wednesday.
The first half hour in Rabat was devoid of scoring chances until Achraf Hakimi’s corner headed into the path of Ayoub El Kaabi five meters from goal.
But he was caught in two minds: He had to turn around and shoot or attempt an overhead kick, and in the end he did neither because the opportunity was lost.
Morocco’s chances
Moroccan Ismael Saibari showed excellent skill in slotting away a shooting opportunity, but Nwabali was equal to his effort.
He was by far the busiest goalkeeper in the match, but Morocco were mostly reduced to long-range efforts that proved comfortable enough to save.
Nigeria had few chances and when talisman Victor Osimhen received a pass in the box, his touch was poor and the rare opportunity was wasted.
Nayef Aguerd’s header from a corner hit the outside of the post as the hosts closed in, but penalties looked inevitable well before the end of the 120 minutes.
And after Bounous’ saves, En-Nesyri scored the decisive spot-kick to send his team into their first final since a 2004 defeat to Tunisia.
