Morocco Reaches AFCON Final After Dramatic Penalty Win

Morocco's dream of winning the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil is one game away after goalkeeper Yassine "Bono" Bounou saved two penalties to send the Atlas Lions into the final. The dramatic shootout victory over Nigeria on Wednesday night sparked celebrations across Rabat, Casablanca, and beyond.

Over 65,000 fans packed Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to watch the tense semifinal between Morocco and Nigeria. After 120 minutes of scoreless action, the match came down to penalties, where Youssef El-Nesyri scored the winning spot kick to seal Morocco's 4-2 victory.

"The match was crazy because we didn't know the result until the very end," one Morocco supporter told reporters. "The penalties were really intense, but we don't care how we win."

Fan zones across Morocco erupted as the final penalty hit the net. In Casablanca's Royal Air Maroc fan zone, supporters who had gathered hours before kickoff celebrated long into the night, while similar scenes unfolded in Rabat and other cities.

Morocco's opponent in the final will be Senegal, who eliminated Egypt in the first semifinal. Thousands of Senegalese supporters also celebrated their team's advancement, with one fan noting how their team took control in the second half after a difficult opening.

The Ripple Effect

This tournament represents more than just football for Morocco. Hosting AFCON has united the nation in shared excitement and pride, bringing communities together in public squares and fan zones across the country. The Atlas Lions' success has given millions of Moroccans a chance to celebrate their team on home soil, creating memories that will last generations.

The championship match on January 18 will pit two of Africa's football powerhouses against each other in Rabat. Before that, Egypt and Nigeria will compete for third place on January 17, giving fans another exciting matchup to enjoy.

Morocco hasn't won the Africa Cup of Nations since 1976, making this home tournament their best chance in nearly 50 years to claim continental glory.