Samuel Chukwueze contributed only a missed penalty to the game.
How about that confidence from En-Nesyri?
Most players standing over the deciding penalty would have looked a bag of nerves. Not Youssef En-Nesyri, though.
The Morocco substitute exuded confidence every step of the way between the halfway line and the penalty spot.
And then he thumped his left-footed penalty past the despairing Stanley Nwabali and into the bottom corner.
Not perturbed by having to come off the bench, En-Nesyri struck the decisive blow.
The noise, the noise. It felt like the whole of Morocco was behind that hand from Yassine Bounou to save the crucial penalty.
First-ever AFCON shootout win for Morocco
Morocco entered tonight having lost their two previous AFCON penalty shootouts, while Nigeria were the most successful team in AFCON shootouts, having won six of eight.
So, some more history for the hosts tonight, while another bitter pill to swallow for Eric Chelle’s crestfallen players.
Morocco enhances penalty shootout pedigree
Regardless of the home support in Rabat, it always felt that Morocco were better equipped to win that penalty shootout.
Those of you with a decent memory might recall the 2022 World Cup when Walid Regragui’s men thumped Spain.
After a goalless draw in Qatar, Yassine Bounou didn’t concede any of the three penalties he faced and Morocco won 3-0 in the shootout.
These pressure situations call for the biggest personalities and Morocco simply had more of them this evening.
Why can’t this talented generation of Nigerian players turn up in big games?
For the third year in a row they have stumbled at a big hurdle.
In 2024 they lost the AFCON final against Ivory Coast. Last year they crashed out of the World Cup play-offs. Tonight they have been eliminated by the hosts.
First-ever AFCON shootout win for Morocco
Morocco entered tonight having lost their two previous AFCON penalty shootouts, while Nigeria were the most successful team in AFCON shootouts having won six of eight.
So some more history for the hosts tonight while another bitter pill to swallow for Eric Chelle’s crestfallen players.
Morocco enhance penalty shootout pedigree
Regardless of the home support in Rabat, it always felt that Morocco were better equipped to win that penalty shootout.
Those of you with a decent memory might recall the 2022 World Cup when Walid Regragui’s men thumped Spain.
After a goalless draw in Qatar, Yassine Bounou didn’t concede any of the three penalties he faced and Morocco won 3-0 in the shootout.
These pressure situations call for the biggest personalities and Morocco simply had more of them this evening.
Why can’t this talented generation of Nigerian players turn up in big games?
For the third year in a row they have stumbled at a big hurdle.
In 2024 they lost the AFCON final against Ivory Coast. Last year they crashed out of the World Cup play-offs. Tonight they have been eliminated by the hosts