Joyous celebrations erupted in the streets of Morocco and Senegal as both nations advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. Morocco secured their place by overcoming Nigeria, while Senegal triumphed over Egypt in the semifinals.
In the first semifinal match, Morocco showcased a strong performance, with Youssef El-Nesyri scoring the decisive penalty in a tense shootout that ended 4-2 in favor of Morocco after a dramatic 0-0 draw against Nigeria. Goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou was instrumental for the Moroccan side, turning the tide in his team’s favor by making two critical saves. Although Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali managed to stop one penalty, Bono’s ability to deny Samuel Chukwueze on two separate occasions proved pivotal in front of a packed crowd of 65,458 at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Senegal’s Sadio Mane continued to shine by defeating his former teammate, Mohamed Salah, leading his team to a narrow 1-0 victory against Egypt. Mane’s goal, which came in the 78th minute, was a stunning strike from outside the penalty area that found its way into the bottom left corner, breaking the deadlock in the crucial match. The victory adds to the significance of the rivalry between the two nations, as Salah’s hopes for his first African championship title remain unfulfilled after Egypt’s loss in the 2021 final against Senegal.
The upcoming final promises to be an exciting showdown, as the hosts Morocco take on 2021 champions Senegal in Rabat on Sunday, with both teams eager to secure AFCON glory. The tournament has captivated audiences across the continent and showcased the incredible talent of African football, setting the stage for an epic finale.