Morocco Reaches First AFCON Final in 21 Years at Home

After 21 years of waiting, Morocco's national soccer team has punched their ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations final with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nigeria.

The semifinal match at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of intense, physical play. When regular and extra time couldn't separate the two powerhouse teams, it came down to penalties.

That's when goalkeeper Yassine Bounou became the hero Morocco needed. He saved two crucial shots from Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, sealing a 4-2 shootout win that sent the home crowd into celebration.

Morocco dominated throughout the match, firing six shots compared to Nigeria's single attempt. Neil El Aynaoui, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Achraf Hakimi, and Youssef En-Nesyri all converted their penalties with calm precision.

The victory sets up a final showdown with Senegal, who defeated Egypt 1-0 in the other semifinal. For Morocco, it's a chance to capture their second continental title and first since 1976.

The Ripple Effect spreads far beyond the stadium. Morocco hasn't appeared in an AFCON final since losing to Tunisia in 2004, making this breakthrough moment especially sweet for a nation that's invested heavily in developing its soccer infrastructure and youth programs over the past two decades.

Crown Prince Moulay Hassan attended the match wearing the national team jersey, cheering alongside thousands of passionate fans. His presence reflected the entire country's excitement and showed strong royal backing for the team's journey.

Now Morocco gets what every soccer nation dreams of: a chance to win a major championship on home soil. After nearly five decades of near misses and rebuilding, the Atlas Lions are 90 minutes away from writing a new chapter in their sporting history.