Nigeria’s Super Eagles ended their incredible unbeaten run in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday night as they were held to a goalless draw by hosts Morocco in the 2025 edition, but suffered a tough 4-2 defeat in a penalty shootout at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The result not only cost Nigeria a second consecutive AFCON finals appearance, but also ended one of the most impressive attacking sequences in the country’s AFCON history.
Bounow the Hero, who plays Morocco, advances to the finals for the first time in 22 years
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bounou emerged as the decisive figure, producing a masterpiece in the penalty shootout to lead the hosts to their first AFCON final in 22 years.
In the 120th minute, with neither team able to separate, Bunou denied Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi to seal a dramatic penalty shootout victory.
The gunfight unfolded as follows.
Neil El Ainaoui and Paul Onuachu converted the first penalties.
Stanley Nwabari saved Hamza Igamane’s shot to give Nigeria hope.
Bounou responded by saving Chukwueze’s kick.
Elies Ben Segir and Fisayo Dele-Bashir scored the goals.
Achraf Hakimi gave Morocco a 3-2 lead.
Bounow denied Onyemaechi.
Youssef En-Nesyri calmly converted the decisive penalty, sparking wild celebrations in Rabat.
A balanced semi-final decided by a narrow margin
The match itself was a very balanced and engaging match.
Morocco threatened early on as Brahim Dias’ curling shot went narrowly wide, but Nuwabari reacted sharply to deny Ismail Saibari.
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman tested Benou with a low drive, while Victor Osimhen was kept firmly in place by Morocco’s disciplined defence.
After the break, Morocco took control, but Calvin Bassey took command in the heart of Nigeria’s defence.
Morocco’s best chance in the second half went to Abdeh Ezarzouri. His curling shot was expertly saved by Nwabali.
In the overtime period, the players showed signs of fatigue and became cautious, and in the end, the winner was determined by penalties.
Ending historic scoring streak
The stalemate was the first match in which Nigeria failed to score in AFCON since Tunisia beat the Super Eagles 1-0 with a goal from Youssef Mousakuni in January 2021 in Garoua, Cameroon.
The defeat was Nigeria’s final blank in the continental tournament until the semi-final against Morocco.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles embarked on the longest scoring streak in AFCON history, finding the back of the net in 12 consecutive games spanning two tournaments. This sequence was built on attack efficiency, depth, and variety.
Another record stoppage against Morocco
The scoreless semi-final against Morocco didn’t just end the scoring streak.
Nigeria have scored at least two goals in their last five matches at AFCON 2025, the first time they have achieved such a feat in the tournament.
It was also the second time since 2000 that Nigeria has scored in five consecutive games in a single AFCON, and the second time in history.
The beginning of execution: The journey to AFCON 2023
Nigeria’s scoring streak began in the 2023 AFCON in a 1-1 group stage draw against Equatorial Guinea, with Victor Osimhen scoring Nigeria’s opening goal.
It continued as follows.
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast – William Troost-Ekong PK
Nigeria 1-0 Guinea-Bissau – Opa Sangante own goal
Nigeria 2–0 Cameroon (Round of 16) – Ademola Lookman 2 matches
Nigeria 1–0 Angola (quarterfinals) – Lookman
Nigeria 1 – 1 South Africa (Semi-final) – Troost Ekong PK (Nigeria won on penalty)
Despite losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the final, Nigeria’s scoring order remained intact, with Troost-Ekuon scoring ahead of goals from Franck Kessier and Sebastian Haller.
AFCON 2025: The goals keep flowing – until Rabat
That offensive momentum carried over to AFCON 2025, which will be held in Morocco.
Nigeria opened as follows.
Nigeria 2 – 1 Tanzania – Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman
Nigeria 3–2 Tunisia – Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Lookman
Nigeria 3 – 1 Uganda – Paul Onuachu, Raphael Onyedika (2)
Nigeria 4 – 0 Mozambique (Round of 16) – Lookman, Osimhen (2), Akole Adams
Nigeria 2–0 Algeria (quarterfinals) – Osimhen, Akole Adams
With this quarter-final victory, their scoring tally increased to 12 games, and Nigeria’s tally of goals in the tournament was 14.
This number matched the Super Eagles’ highest score in a single AFCON tournament, equaled Cameroon’s record, and moved Nigeria two goals shy of Ivory Coast’s all-time AFCON record of 16 goals set in 2008.
“Losing on penalties hurts a lot” – Eric Schell reacts
After the match, Super Eagles head coach Eric Schell praised the players’ mentality but admitted that the performance was not up to Nigeria’s usual skill level.
“The game was not easy by any means, but the players showed a strong mental reaction and fought for every ball.”
“Losing in a penalty shootout hurts a lot. It’s difficult because we worked hard throughout the tournament, but that’s soccer.”
“We have to keep working.”
“We pressed high in this game because if we don’t press, we create space and things become very complicated.”
“From a technical point of view, we were not at the level we showed in other games.”
“I don’t want to say it was due to fatigue, but it’s true that I lacked movement and power.”
What’s next for Nigeria’s Super Eagles?
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the AFCON finals for the second year in a row were dashed.
However, the Super Eagles still have a chance to match Ivory Coast’s AFCON goals record of 16 goals when they face Egypt in the third-place play-off in Casablanca on Saturday.
