By Frank Ulom
RABAT (CONVERSEER) – The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday fell in the semi-final game against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), losing 4-2 on penalties.
Despite the host having the crowd behind them, it was the Super Eagles who struck first via Ademola Lookman, but Yassine Bounou was equal to the task and pushed the ball wide.
The first half was cagey for both sides and Ismael Saibari stung Stanley Nwabali’s palm before the close of the first half at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in RabatRabatV.
Morocco threatened in the second half, but Nwabali held the line for Nigeria as the game went into extra time and subsequently penalty shootouts.
While Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their penalties for Nigeria, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Achraf Hakimi, and Youssef En-Nesyri converted theirs for Morocco to book a place in the final against Senegal.
Nigeria, on the other hand will play Egypt in the third place on Saturday.
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The Super Eagles also missed out on $500,000 promised to them by billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, if they win the semi-final.
They also missed the chance to pocket $1 million if they win the tournament and $50,000 for each goal as they failed to register a goal for the first time in this tournament, despite netting 14 goals before the match.
