Morocco’s ahead Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after successful the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. Photograph: AFP
RABAT:
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero with two saves within the shoot-out as hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to arrange an Africa Cup of Nations remaining showdown this weekend with Senegal after a tense last-four conflict on Wednesday completed 0-0 on the finish of additional time.
Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, permitting Youssef En-Nesyri to transform the successful kick and spark wild celebrations among the many 65,458 crowd contained in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
There was pleasure but additionally aid for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick — Morocco’s second within the shoot-out — was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the one Moroccan participant to fail to attain within the shoot-out, nevertheless, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi amongst those that transformed their penalties.
Morocco will now play Senegal on Sunday for the title after the Lions of Teranga defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 1-0 within the different semi-final earlier in Tangiers due to a Sadio Mane objective — that might be a conflict between the highest two African sides within the FIFA world rankings.
“It was one of many hardest matches we’ve had in opposition to a really strong and gifted group,” stated Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who performed within the final Atlas Lions aspect to achieve the ultimate once they misplaced to Tunisia in 2004.
“I’m very glad for the gamers and for the Moroccan individuals who actually deserve this.
“It’s a nice reward for them to be within the remaining however we might want to recuperate shortly as a result of we put a number of power into this sport.”
Morocco have been underneath monumental strain to ship a primary AFCON title for his or her nation in half a century however might be assured of popping out on prime in opposition to Senegal with their assist behind them.
Nevertheless, as their dream stays alive it’s an agonising means for Nigeria’s hopes to finish, two years after they misplaced the ultimate to the hosts in Ivory Coast — that they had been hoping to win a fourth Cup of Nations crown to match the tally of rivals Ghana.
Led by two latest winners of the African participant of the yr prize in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria had been arguably the very best group on the event as much as the semi-finals and the highest scorers with 14 objectives.
However they created subsequent to nothing through the 120 minutes right here and should accept Saturday’s third-place play-off in opposition to Egypt in Casablanca earlier than watching the World Cup from afar following their failure to qualify.
Onerous to take for Tremendous Eagles
“The gamers fought for each ball and it’s tough to lose on penalties, however that is soccer and we’ve to just accept it,” stated Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.
“It’s tough to play right here in Morocco as a result of it’s a must to play in opposition to the group and in opposition to the group.”
Doubts in regards to the Moroccan group’s capacity to deal with the big strain of enjoying at residence had dissipated following their win over Cameroon within the quarter-finals.
The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists had been whistled by their very own followers at instances through the group part right here, however this time these supporters did their bit by responding to any Nigerian spell of possession with deafening jeers.
A frenetic opening spell to the competition noticed the Moroccan winger Brahim Diaz -– in all probability the event’s excellent participant -– curl a shot broad earlier than Alex Iwobi teed up Lookman on the different finish for a shot that was properly saved.
Morocco had probabilities, together with a free-kick from Hakimi and a shot from Ismael Saibari that was properly saved by Nwabali.
Nevertheless, the second half was extra cagey and the clock ran down on regular time, whereas the spectre of penalties grew bigger as the additional half-hour progressed.
It appeared Nigeria have been settling for the shoot-out, even taking off Osimhen as they hoped to repeat their win on penalties within the 2024 semi-final in opposition to South Africa.
Nevertheless, Morocco had additionally famously received on penalties in opposition to Spain on the final World Cup they usually repeated the trick to achieve the ultimate of their Cup of Nations.
