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By JOE APU
Morocco has booked their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic penalty victory over Nigeria in Rabat.
In a goalless draw that never looked like finding a winner, it was the hosts who won the battle of nerves from 12 yards at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The match itself was a tactical affair, with both sides unwilling to open themselves up for fear of being countered on the biggest stage in African football.
Despite both managers’ star-studded squads, both Eric Chelle and Walid Regragui were both more concerned with not losing than taking the game to their opponents.
Brahim Diaz and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli were the danger men for Morocco out wide, with the latter skinning Nigeria right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel for fun down the left flank.
Both men had chances, stinging the palms of Stanley Nwabali, but neither side could find that elusive winning goal.
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles Captain Mikel John Obi while reacting to the semi-final encounter said: “The Nigeria boys should be proud of what they have done. They have come up short against a very good team in Morocco. I think Morocco deserve it.
“Over the 120 minutes they were the better side. They attacked, they looked like they wanted to score goals and win the game. They gave a bit more.”
The loss also cost the Super Eagles millions of dollars following the promise of Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabium who to the team that he wiuld them five hundred thousand US dollars if they win the match. With an additional 50, 000 US dollars for every goal scored.
