Former Super Eagles star Waidi Akanni has attributed Nigeria’s semifinal defeat to Morocco on Wednesday night to a lack of penalty practice, SportPremi reports.
Nigeria suffered an agonizing penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the semifinal of the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament on Wednesday condemning them to the third-placed match.
The Super Eagles were silver medalist in the last AFCON edition in Ivory Coast and were hoping to make it successive final appearances, but they fell short this time around.
It followed their penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in November 2025 during the qualifying rounds for the FIFA World Cup next summer, leading to questions over their capacity from 12 yards.
In that particular clash, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two of the Leopards attempts, but Nigeria missed three times as their World Cup hopes were ended.
This time around, the Chippa United goalkeeper saved Hamza Igamane’s effort, but also ended up on the losing side once again.
Samuel Chukwueze’s attempt was a very poor one, while Bruno Onyemaechi also fluffed his penalty kick, as the host nations snatched a 4-2 win to progress into the final.
Despite reaching the semifinals 17 times, same as record winners of the AFCON tournament Egypt, the Super Eagles have only reached the final eight times and their wait for a fourth title goes on.
Up next for them is a clash against the Pharaohs in Casabalanca on Saturday, with both teams hoping to claim bragging rights in the bronze medal match.
What Akanni said after Nigeria’s defeat
Reacting to Nigeria’s agonizing defeat in the semifinals, former Super Eagles defender Akanni says the team must move on from the defeat and focus on Saturday’s third-placed encounter.
“Lack of preparedness cost the Super Eagles the penalty shootout against Morocco. Again, this is all football, and there is nothing the players can do about it”, Akanni admitted.
“The team must focus on the third-place match against Egypt.”
The Super Eagles will hope to close out their campaign with a win as they visit the Stade Mohammed V on Saturday to take on Egypt in the bronze medal encounter.
