Coach reacts as Morocco defeats Nigeria 4-2 on penalties...

Morocco secured their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Wednesday night after edging past the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a tense semi-final that went to penalties following 120 minutes of goalless football.

CBI News reports that both teams were evenly matched during regulation and extra time, cancelling each other out in a physically intense and highly competitive encounter.

The Atlas Lions held their nerve in the shootout, winning 4-2 after Nigeria missed two crucial spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Reacting to the dramatic victory, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui credited his team’s resilience and physical commitment as the key to overcoming a determined Nigerian side.

“We suffered a lot throughout the match, and reaching the AFCON final on home soil is a beautiful gift,” Regragui said.

He emphasised the demanding nature of the game, noting the need for quick recovery after playing extra time in a physically draining contest.

“Now we must think about physical recovery quickly because we made a huge effort. We played extra time, the match was difficult, and it consumed a lot of energy,” he added.

Regragui also highlighted the role of unity between the players and home supporters, describing the atmosphere as a driving force behind Morocco’s success.

“I congratulate the Nigerian national team and coach Eric Chelle for the great work they’ve done,” he said.

“I also extend my congratulations to our players and fans, because we all fought together [for victory against Nigeria] without exception.”

Despite their exit, Nigeria delivered a disciplined and well-organised performance, limiting Morocco’s attacking threat and pushing the hosts to penalties.

The Super Eagles showed tactical awareness and physical presence but were ultimately undone by missed penalties at the decisive moment.