For the second time in two months (because it had been versus DR Congo in November), the Tremendous Eagles fell quick through the lottery of penalties’ shoot-out … this time on the ft of Morocco within the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
Sports247 stories that it grew to become a case of ‘so close to but to this point’ for the Eagles on Wednesday night time, as Adams Akor, Ademola Lookman and skipper of the day, Victor Osimhen have been caged for 120 minutes, as Nigeria’s forwards and midfielders put up an error-prone present.
Conversely, spirited efforts in defence by Brilliant Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Calvin Bassey saved the Eagles within the sport towards the extra adventurous Moroccans, whereas Stanley Nwabali pulled off some key saves.
Right here is how a match report by Tribal Soccer captured highlights of the terse encounter:
Morocco stay heading in the right direction for a primary Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years after edging to a nervy penalty shoot-out victory within the semi-finals over Nigeria in Rabat.
An absence of high quality within the remaining third meant there weren’t too many probabilities early on. Brahim Diaz did have one for the hosts, however flashed large throughout purpose, earlier than Ademola Lookman noticed a strike saved on the different finish.
The Atlas Lions then had two extra openings across the 30-minute mark, firstly when the ball fell invitingly for Adam Masina within the six-yard field, however he couldn’t angle an acrobatic effort goalwards, whereas Díaz despatched one other strike off track.
Achraf Hakimi was the subsequent to return shut, though his 22-yard free-kick solely landed on the roof of the web, earlier than Stanley Nwabali was examined for the primary time, springing low to his proper to palm away a fierce Ismael Saibiari effort that was arrowing into the underside nook.
That proved to be the ultimate actual likelihood of a good opening 45 minutes, making it solely the second Nigeria sport on this event to achieve half-time and not using a purpose.
They set about seeking to break the impasse instantly after the break, as Raphael Onyedika’s scuffed strike bounced large. To not be outdone, Abde Ezzalzouli went straight down the opposite finish and was denied by Nwabali, however because the clock ticked on, proceedings grew to become increasingly cagey, with neither facet eager to concede an inch given the prize at stake.
Certainly, there was just one additional alternative earlier than the 90 minutes have been up, and it fell to Ezzalzouli, whose whipped, low effort from distance was saved.
Additional-time was due to this fact wanted to separate two well-matched groups, and within the early levels of the primary half, Nayef Aguerd directed a deep nook onto the surface of the submit.
Hamza Igamane additionally bent large after a cheeky nutmeg on Frank Onyeka, and shortly afterwards, the ahead despatched a hooked volley straight on the goalkeeper. On the different finish, Eric Chelle’s males have been impotent and had managed simply two photographs of their very own by the conclusion, whereas Morocco practically landed one remaining blow by means of Neil El Aynaoui, whose last-gasp long-range effort was too near Nwabali.
It fell to a penalty shootout to determine who would face Senegal again in Rabat on Sunday, and Nigeria have been handed an early benefit when Igamane’s strike was fantastically saved. Samuel Chukwueze instantly noticed his dreadful spot-kick saved out, although, thus restoring parity.
Each groups then traded objectives, and after Hakimi had struck, Bruno Onyemaechi was denied by Yassine Bounou with an unorthodox save that noticed the keeper nearly overrun the ball.
That gave Youssef En-Nesyri the prospect to turn into a nationwide hero by guiding the Atlas Lions to victory, and he did simply that with an emphatic end as his facet received 4-2 on penalties.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Calvin Bassey
