The Super Eagles of Nigeria have once again fallen victim to a long-standing Africa Cup of Nations curse, crashing out in the semi-final against host nation Morocco. The dream of a fourth continental title was extinguished on Wednesday night, January 15, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, after a dramatic penalty shootout.
The Rabat Heartbreak: Penalties Decide Tense Semi-Final
After a grueling 120 minutes of football that ended goalless, the match was decided from the penalty spot. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, saving two Nigerian penalties. Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi were the unfortunate players who saw their spot-kicks saved. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri then calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal a 4–2 shootout victory for the Atlas Lions, booking their place in Sunday's final.
The semi-final itself was a tense and cagey affair with few clear-cut chances. Morocco created the better opportunities but were repeatedly denied by an outstanding performance from Nigeria's goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who was the busier of the two keepers. In contrast, the Super Eagles, who entered the match with the tournament's best scoring record, struggled badly in attack. Their most dangerous moment came when star striker Victor Osimhen found space in the box, but a heavy touch let the chance slip away.
A Historical Curse That Refuses to Be Broken
This defeat brings to the fore an unbroken and painful jinx for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles have never defeated a host nation in an AFCON knockout match (excluding third-place playoffs). The history of this curse is stark:
- At Algiers 1990, Nigeria lost 1-0 to Algeria in the final.
- At Tunisia 2004, the Eagles drew 1–1 in the semi-final but lost 5-3 on penalties to Tunisia.
- At Ghana 2008, they suffered a 1-2 quarter-final defeat to the host.
- At the last AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria lost 1-2 to the host in the final.
Many Nigerians had hoped Wednesday night would finally mark the end of this hoodoo, but it was not to be. The defeat also echoed the heartbreak from November last year in Morocco, where Nigeria crashed out of the intercontinental World Cup playoff on penalties.
Road to Redemption in the Third-Place Playoff
The loss has once again shut the door on Nigeria's hope for a fourth AFCON title. Instead, the team will now contest the third-place playoff against Egypt a day before the final. The Super Eagles are no strangers to this consolation match.
For Morocco, the victory keeps alive their quest for a first AFCON crown in 50 years. They will now face the 2021 champions, Senegal, led by Sadio Mané, in what promises to be a thrilling final on Sunday in Rabat. While the Atlas Lions have yet to hit top gear in the tournament, their efficiency, organisation, and resilience have carried them to the final, where their sternest test awaits.
