Nigeria’s agonising wait for a first Africa Cup of Nations crown since 2013 dragged on after the Super Eagles crashed out cruelly, losing 4–2 on penalties to hosts Morocco following a tense, goalless semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday night.

Across 120 cagey minutes, little separated two disciplined and tactically cautious sides, though Morocco will argue they asked more questions and fashioned the clearer openings. Still, neither could find a decisive breakthrough.

As so often in knockout football, the contest was settled by the unforgiving lottery of penalties, and it was Morocco who kept their composure to book a showdown with Senegal.

For Nigeria, it was a painfully familiar script. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was immense, producing a string of fine saves during open play and even denying one spot-kick in the shootout. But missed penalties from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi proved fatal, sending the Atlas Lions through and condemning the Super Eagles to a third-place playoff against Egypt.

Head coach Eric Chelle made just one enforced change from the quarter-final victory over Algeria, with Raphael Onyedika stepping in for the suspended Wilfred Ndidi. In Ndidi’s absence, Victor Osimhen wore the captain’s armband, carrying both leadership duties and Nigeria’s attacking burden.

Morocco started on the front foot and nearly capitalised on a rare defensive lapse when Semi Ajayi lost possession in a dangerous area, only to recover brilliantly with a last-ditch block. Nigeria needed time to settle, but gradually found their rhythm. Ademola Lookman tested Yassine Bounou with a low drive in the 14th minute, though Osimhen was left frustrated as the rebound failed to fall his way.

Clear chances were at a premium but carried weight. Akor Adams failed to make clean contact with a promising opening, while Morocco wasted two gilt-edged opportunities, allowing Nigeria to reach the break still on level terms. Calvin Bassey’s contentious booking raised eyebrows, as it would have ruled him out of the final had Nigeria progressed.

The tempo lifted after the restart. Onyedika blazed wide from distance, while Nwabali continued his outstanding display with another sharp save. Morocco looked increasingly dangerous from set-pieces, but Nigeria’s defensive shape held firm under sustained pressure.

Osimhen enjoyed two half-chances in quick succession but could not shift the ball quickly enough to trouble Bounou. At the other end, Nwabali again bailed Nigeria out as Moroccan appeals for handball against Bassey were waved away.

After 90 minutes, the deadlock stubbornly refused to break. Extra time offered more nerves than incision. Morocco came agonisingly close when a header from a corner rattled the crossbar, while Nwabali produced one final vital stop late on to drag Nigeria into penalties.

In the shootout, Nigeria blinked. Despite Nwabali’s heroics, Chukwueze and Onyemaechi saw their efforts saved, allowing Morocco to seal victory and ignite wild celebrations inside the stadium.

For the Super Eagles, it was a brutal ending to a campaign defined by resilience, belief, and flashes of quality, undone by penalties and fine margins. Senegal now awaits Morocco in Sunday’s final, while Nigeria must regroup to face Egypt in the third-place playoff, reflecting on yet another golden chance that slipped away when it mattered most.