2 hours ago
1
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Captain Wilfred Ndidi misses out for Nigeria with a combination of suspension and injury. He picked up a second yellow card of the tournament, earning him a one-match ban, and a hamstring strain in the quarter-final. Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika takes his place in the XI tonight in their only change.
Morocco are unchanged from their quarter-final.
Team news
Starting lineups from the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah:
Nigeria (4-3-1-2): Nwabili; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Iwobi; Lookman; Osimhen, Adams.
Subs: Obasogie, Uzoho, Awaziem, Ogbu, Sanusi, Akinsanmiro, Dele-Bashiru, Usman, Nnadi, Ejuke, Fago, Simon, Onuachu, Chukwueze.
Morocco (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, El Aynaoui, Saibari; Brahim, El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli.
Subs: Al Harrar, Munir, Boudlal, Salah-Eddine, El Yamiq, Chibi, Belammari, Ben Seghir, Akhomach, Targhalline, Amrabat, Talbi, Igamane, Rahimi, En-Nesyri.
Senegal await the winners of this one in final after edging out Egypt in the first semi-final. The full-time whistle went a few minutes ago, with Sadio Mané’s late-ish winner was the difference.
Yara El-Shaboury is sweeping up the reaction on her blog:
Preamble
It’s been 22 years since Morocco last appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations final and 50 years since they won the thing. Tonight the 2026 hosts have the chance to stay right to the very end of their own party when they take on the runners-up of two years ago, Nigeria, in Rabat in the second semi-final.
Walid Regragui’s side topped their group and have since knocked out Tanzania and Cameroon. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz, whose club coach has changed while he’s been away, has scored in every game at the tournament so far, including the first of Morocco’s two against Cameroon in last Friday’s quarter-final. They remain favourites for the title.
Standing in their way of Sunday’s final are Nigeria who, unlike Morocco, have won every game at this tournament. Victor Osimhen is their talisman and he gave them the lead against Algeria in their 2-0 quarter-final victory to get this far. The Super Eagles took the lead in the 2023 Afcon final (played in 2024) but were beaten by the hosts on that occasion, Côte d’Ivoire.
I’ll be providing updates for as long as this one takes, should we need extra time and penalties, so feel free to get in touch via email with your thoughts on the game. Kick-off is 8pm (GMT). Team news is coming up.
