In the semi-final match, Nigeria and Morocco played without goals after 120 minutes of play, so the winner was not decided in regular time and overtime.
Morocco opened the match better and created several chances in the early stages.
Brahim Diaz shot past the post in the 9th minute, and Ismael Saibari and Noussair Mazraoui had good situations in the penalty area in the continuation of the first half, but Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stood out, who saved Mazraoui’s shot from close range in the 39th minute.
Diaz had the best chance for Morocco in the first half in the 28th minute, when he headed wide of the goal from about 11 meters out.
Nigeria threatened mainly through Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. Lookman shot from a good position in the 15th minute, but Bono must have intervened, while Osimhen failed to take advantage of promising situations on several occasions due to the solid defense of Morocco.
In the second half, Morocco continued with more attempts. Abde Ezzalzouli tested Nwabali in the 52nd and 83rd minutes, but the Nigerian goalkeeper reacted successfully both times.
Ayoub El Kaabi and Hamza Igamane tried after the break and from the game, but without a concrete finish.
Nigeria, on the other hand, had a chance through Raphael Onyedika, who shot wide in the 51st minute, and several crosses that did not find the attackers.
In overtime, Nigeria had more ball possession and tempo control, but without serious chances. Morocco tried through short passes and changes in attack, but shots from Igamane and Ben Seghir were too weak to threaten the goal.
The match ended 0:0, with Morocco having a statistical advantage in the number of shots, while Nigeria was more specific in possession during extra time. The finalist was decided after the penalty shootout.
After that, we moved on to the penalty shootout, and there we saw the following outcome: Both teams scored in the first series, but then missed in the second series. The third series brings again hits, and the fourth decides the finalist!
Namely, Hakimi was accurate for Morocco, but Onyemaechi missed for Nigeria, so that Youssef En Nesyri would lead Morocco to the final.
The final match will be played on Sunday.
(Vijesti.ba)
