Nigeria’s quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title has become another dream deferred after the Super Eagles were stopped by the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
After 120 minutes of exciting football,Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties to qualify for their third AFCON final, and their first final in 22 years.
Morocco won the tournament in 1976, finished second in 2004 in Tunisia and will be seeking to pick their econd AFCON title on Sunday against the Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Poor penalties from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, which were easily stopped goalkeeper Bono,caused Nigeria a place in Sunday’s final.
The Super Eagles will now settle for the bronze match against the Pharoahs of Egypt after the Egyptians lost to Senegal 0-1first half in the semi final.
Nigerians at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat looked stunned, while the vociferous Moroccan fans went estactic.
The promise to compensate Nigerians with the AFCON title after failing to qualify for back-to-back world cup has gone up in smoke and for Morocco the preparation for 2030 mundial continues.
Morocco’s quality enroute to the final underscores their position as the best team in Africa and the eleventh best in the world.
Sunday’s final promises to be another exciting match given the pedigree of both teams with Morocco as Africa’s best ranked team against Senegal, the second best team in the continent.
The Eagles will rue their loss of $500,000 for failing to overcome Morocco, in addition to the loss of $50,000 for every goal scored.
The last AFCON in Ivory Coast, the Eagles finished as runners-up against the host and this time again, they also came short against the host, but in the semi final.
What next for the NFF, Chelle and the players?
