AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Crash Out After Penalty Shootout Defeat to Morocco

Nigeria’s Super Eagles exited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night after falling 4–2 on penalties to hosts Morocco in a tense semi-final encounter.

Both sides endured a frustrating evening in front of goal, with Nigeria struggling to carve out clear-cut chances and failing to make the most of the few opportunities that came their way. Morocco, backed by a vocal home crowd, also found it difficult to break down a disciplined Nigerian defence.

After 90 minutes of regulation time, the scoreline remained goalless, as neither team managed to find the breakthrough despite periods of pressure at both ends of the pitch. Extra time followed, but the deadlock persisted through 120 minutes, forcing the contest to be decided from the penalty spot, PulseNets learnt.

During the shootout, Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemachi failed to convert their efforts for the Super Eagles, while the Atlas Lions kept their composure, successfully dispatching all four of their spot-kicks to seal a place in the final.

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PulseNets reported that Morocco will now square off against Senegal in what promises to be a high-stakes AFCON final, while Nigeria will turn their attention to the third-place playoff, where they are set to face Egypt.