Rabat, Morocco – The Moroccan national team qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations final after defeating Nigeria 4-2 on penalties. This followed a goalless draw after both regulation and extra time in the semi-final match held at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Moroccan team started the match with early attacking pressure, and Brahim Diaz almost opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a powerful shot that went just past the post.
Nigeria responded with a dangerous attempt by Lookman in the 15th minute, which Yassine Bounou brilliantly saved, before the “Atlas Lions” continued to control the course of the game.
Morocco wasted more than one clear opportunity, most notably Ismail Saïbari’s header in the 20th minute, and a powerful shot from Achraf Hakimi from a free kick in the 34th minute that went over the crossbar.
In the second half, the Moroccan team continued their attacking dominance, with the Nigerian goalkeeper saving shots from Ismail Saïbari and Abdel Samad Zalzouli. Both sides lacked attacking threat in the final minutes.
⏯️🔥 شاهد ركلات الترجيح بين نيجيريا والمغرب#كأس_أمم_إفريقيا | #نيجيريا_المغرب pic.twitter.com/BFMd5U1Xhe
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 14, 2026The goalless draw continued during extra time, so the two teams resorted to penalty kicks, which smiled on the Moroccan team with a score of (4-2).
With that result, the Moroccan national team secured a meeting with the Senegalese national team in the Africa Cup of Nations final, scheduled to be held next Sunday, January 18, 2026.
