Hosts Morocco and Nigeria advanced into the final of the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) after securing wins over Libya and Sudan respectively on Wednesday.
The first semifinal of the Chan tournament saw the Atlas Lions thrash the Libyans 3-1 after extra time in Casablanca.
Morocco were once again inspired by striker Ayoub El Kaabi, who scored two more goals to take his tournament tally to eight overall.
With four minutes to the 90, Abdulrahman Khalleefa equalized El Kaabi’s 73rd minute opener to send the game into extra time. The latter then restored the lead, 2-1, with his brace in the seventh minute of extra half hour.
And Morocco finally killed off Libya’s challenge in the 117th minute when Walid El Karti won a soft penalty and converted it himself to make the score 3-1 and seal a place in the final.
Super Eagles pip Sudan
Nigeria booked their spot in the final after beating Sudan 1-0 at Stade de Marrakech.
An early goal by Okechukwu Gabriel helped the West Africans secure a spot in the final where they will meet hosts Morocco on Sunday.
As early as the 12th minute, the Super Eagles were dealt a huge blow when goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa sustained an injury, forcing him to be replaced by Oladele Ajiboye.
However, it was Nigeria who found the back of the net a minute later when Gabriel beat Elhadi Akram from close range with a low shot.
Both sides finished the thrilling encounter with 10 men each. Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was shown his marching orders in the 58th minute after a dangerous tackle.
With three minutes to go, Sudan were also reduced to 10 men when Bakri Bachir received a straight red for bringing down Solomon Ojo.
Nigeria’s Ajiboye kept his team in the game after producing two brilliant saves in the 90th minute to ensure they are through to the final.
The defeat for the Sudanese means they will meet the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in the third-place playoff on Saturday night.
