• Morocco beats Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the AFCON final.
• Yassine Bounou saves two crucial penalties in the shootout.
• Youssef El-Nesyri scores the decisive penalty.
• Morocco will face 2021 champions Senegal in the final.
• Nigeria will play Egypt for third place following a disappointing performance.

In a thrilling semifinal match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco overcame Nigeria in a penalty shootout, securing a 4-2 victory after a goalless draw through extra time. The match took place in front of a home crowd at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where Yassine Bounou saved two penalties, and Youssef El-Nesyri scored the winning shot, sending Morocco to their first final since 2004 against Senegal, the 2021 champions, who previously defeated Egypt 1-0 in the other semifinal, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

The match was characterized by a lack of clear-cut chances, with Morocco generating more opportunities but often thwarted by Nigeria's goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali. Despite Nigeria entering the match with the best scoring record of the tournament, they failed to produce significant threats, leaving their performance criticized as "limp" and "showing little ambition," as noted by various commentators during the match, highlighted by Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

Morocco's head coach, Walid Regragui, praised the overwhelming support from the fans, declaring, "We played with 12 (players)," referencing the home advantage that played a critical role throughout the match. The Moroccans are now on the brink of capturing their first continental title since 1976, while Nigeria's hopes are dashed, relegating them to a third-place match against Egypt, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.