Bounou the hero as Morocco reach AFCON final after penalty drama against Nigeria

Nigeria 0-0 Morocco (Morocco wins 4-2 on penalties): “The hosts are one win away from a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years and will take on Senegal on Sunday.”

Hosts Morocco will play for their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976 after advancing to Sunday’s final thanks to a nervy penalty shoot-out win over Nigeria in Rabat.

After a tense 120 minutes ended goalless, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced decisive saves from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi in the shoot-out, while Youssef En-Nesyri buried the winning kick to send Morocco into a showdown with Senegal.

Neil El Aynaoui, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Achraf Hakimi also converted their penalties for the hosts.

In a report by The Independent, Nigeria struggled to create chances, managing just two shots in 120 minutes — only one of them on target.

Head coach Eric Chelle made a surprising decision to withdraw captain and star striker Victor Osimhen just minutes before the shoot-out.

The gamble failed to pay off as Chukwueze, one of the late substitutes brought on, saw his effort saved by Bounou.

Earlier in the day, Sadio Mane was Senegal’s hero after scoring the winning goal against Egypt.

Senegal, champions four years ago, will now bid for their second Africa Cup of Nations crown.

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