Nigeria’s quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title ended painfully on Tuesday night as hosts Morocco defeated the Super Eagles on penalties to secure a place in the 2025 final.

After 120 minutes of intense football at the packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat produced no goal, the encounter was decided from the spot, with the Atlas Lions prevailing in a tension-soaked shootout.

Before kickoff, Nigeria’s talisman Victor Osimhen had played down the effect of the intimidating Moroccan crowd, insisting the Eagles were accustomed to hostile environments. But the reality inside the roaring red arena proved different as the deafening support unsettled the visitors for long spells.

The usually lethal attacking trio of Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams, responsible for most of Nigeria’s 14 goals in the tournament, struggled to find rhythm. Creativity from Alex Iwobi was repeatedly stifled, while the midfield missed the calming presence of suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi. His replacement, Raphael Onyedika, laboured to impose himself as Frank Onyeka covered enormous ground in a bid to steady the team.

Nigeria managed just two shots on target throughout the contest, with Lookman registering the first. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the busier of the two shot-stoppers, producing several crucial saves, while Morocco’s Yassine Bono was rarely tested.

Defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel put in tireless shifts to contain Morocco’s attacking threats led by Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El-Kaabi and Abde Ezzalzouli.

The Super Eagles also felt hard done by some decisions from Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, which appeared to favour the hosts and disrupted Nigeria’s momentum.

Hope flickered during the shootout when Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort, but misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Onyemaechi allowed Morocco to regain control. Youssef En-Nesyri converted the decisive kick to send the stadium into wild celebration.

The defeat mirrors Nigeria’s heartbreak at the last AFCON final, where they lost to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan.

Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final, while Nigeria battle Egypt in Saturday’s third-place playoff.