×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Home To Bold Columnists
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to reach Africa Cup of Nations final

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Morocco players celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final vs Nigeria at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat, January 14, 2026. [FRANCK FIFE / AFP]

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero with two saves in the shoot-out as hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final showdown this weekend with Senegal after a tense last-four clash on Wednesday finished 0-0 at the end of extra time.

Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among the 65,458 crowd inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Bold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
Sports
Junior Starlets gear up for World Cup qualifier encounter against Uganda
Athletics
Under-20 talents to face off in battle for tickets to world event in Eugene
By Mose Sammy 5 hrs ago
Golf
Over 2,500 players to battle it out in Duracoat Golf Masters Series
By Mike Kihaki 12 hrs ago
Sports
Sh11 B more to beat AFCON 2027 deadline