Nigeria's hopes of claiming their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title were dashed in a painful semi-final defeat against host nation Morocco, a match that ended 0-0 after extra time and saw Morocco win 4-2 on penalties. The Super Eagles' journey, marked by resilience and tactical discipline, came to an end at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday.

A key talking point following the match was the decision to substitute Nigeria's star striker, Victor Osimhen, moments before the penalty shootout. This substitution, made by coach Éric Chelle, brought on Paul Onuachu in place of Osimhen. The gamble ultimately backfired as Morocco clinched the shootout 4-2, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saving two crucial penalties.

Throughout the 120 minutes of play, clear-cut chances were scarce for both sides. Osimhen, who had been a key figure in Nigeria's attack throughout the tournament with four goals, found himself tightly marked by the Moroccan defense, limiting his opportunities to impact the game. Despite his efforts, he struggled to find space and create scoring chances.

The decision to replace Osimhen, Nigeria's vice-captain, just before the penalty shootout raised eyebrows and sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. While the intention may have been to bring on a fresh pair of legs known for penalty-taking prowess, it removed Nigeria's most potent attacking threat and a player who had demonstrated leadership qualities throughout the tournament.

Prior to the match, Osimhen had expressed confidence in the team's unity and focus, emphasizing that they were viewing the game as an opportunity rather than a burden. He had also been handed a key leadership role due to Wilfred Ndidi's unavailability. Osimhen had even captained Nigeria in their final group game against Uganda and for the final 20 minutes against Algeria.

The Super Eagles had entered the semi-final clash with high hopes, aiming to atone for their disappointment as runners-up in the previous edition of AFCON. Their journey to the semi-finals included a 2-0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals, with Osimhen contributing a goal and an assist.

Ultimately, Morocco's goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, emerged as the hero, denying Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi in the shootout. Youssef En-Nesyri then sealed the victory for the host nation, sending them to their first AFCON final since 2004. Morocco will now face Senegal in the final. Meanwhile, Nigeria will face Egypt in the third-place play-off.