The Super Eagles’ quest for a fourth continental title at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco came to an end on Wednesday after a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to the hosts at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, The PUNCH reports.
Despite struggling for large spells of the initial 90 minutes, which ended goalless, Nigeria managed to stretch the hosts into extra-time before heading into a shootout, where two missed kicks proved decisive.
With captain Wilfred Ndidi suspended for the semi-final due to accumulated yellow cards in the round of 16 and quarter-final, coach Eric Chelle handed Raphael Onyedika a second start, while the rest of the team from the quarter-final win over Algeria remained unchanged.
Unlike their previous outings, Chelle’s men failed to settle from the blast of the whistle, struggling to keep possession and contain the hosts in front of a packed stadium.
A lack of quality in the final third meant clear chances were few and far between early on. Brahim Díaz had one opportunity for Morocco but flashed his effort wide across goal, before Ademola Lookman saw a strike saved at the other end.
Achraf Hakimi was next to threaten, although his 22-yard free-kick only landed on the roof of the net. Stanley Nwabali was then called into action for the first time, springing low to his right to palm away a fierce Ismael Saibari effort that was arrowing towards the bottom corner. That proved to be the final real chance of a tightly contested opening 45 minutes, making it only the second Nigeria match at the tournament to reach half-time goalless.
