Former Arsenal star, Nwankwo Kanu, has offered his reaction to Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria’s hopes of winning a fourth AFCON title were extinguished on Wednesday night after the Super Eagles lost 4-2 on penalties to hosts Morocco in a tense encounter in Rabat.
The last-four contest at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium finished goalless after extra time, with the Atlas Lions holding their nerve from the spot to book a place in the final, while Nigeria were left to reflect on what might have been.
Among those watching from the stands was former Super Eagles captain and Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu, who later offered a brief but pointed assessment of the defeat.
Kanu, who had earlier met his former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger at the stadium, summed up the outcome in simple terms after the shootout went against Eric Chelle’s side.
“Always good to see the Professor Arsene Wenger,” Kanu wrote alongside a picture of himself with the former Arsenal boss.
“Penalty is Penalty. Big up Super Eagles. You fought a good fight.”
KAN U BELIEVE IT 🙌 Always good to see the Professor Arsene Wenger 👏🏼Penalty is Penalty. Big up super eagles. You fought a good fight. @ng_supereagles #thankugod #africa #legend #nigeria
— Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) January 15, 2026
AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/KMNtDZJKrS
Nigeria’s exit was sealed after misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, while Morocco converted four of their kicks to claim victory.
The defeat brought a sudden end to what had been a superb tournament for the Super Eagles. Until the semi-final, Nigeria had been one of the competition’s standout teams, winning all of their first five matches and playing some of the most adventurous football on display in Morocco.
Chelle’s side arrived at the last four as the tournament’s leading scorers, having scored 14 goals; a tally bettered only once in AFCON history, by Côte d’Ivoire’s 2008 team who scored 16.
There had been a growing belief that Nigeria were building towards something special. Instead, their title charge was halted by the fine margins of knockout football and the unforgiving nature of a penalty shootout.
Yet even in defeat, the Super Eagles left the pitch having enhanced their reputation as one of the most exciting and complete teams at the tournament.
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After Kanu's verdict, Nigeria's focus shifts to Egypt
With the final now out of reach, Nigeria must quickly reset for Saturday’s third-place playoff against Egypt in Casablanca.
The Pharaohs are also coming off semi-final disappointment, having been edged 1-0 by Senegal in their own last-four encounter. For both sides, the match offers a chance to salvage pride and finish the competition on a positive note.
History suggests Nigeria usually rise to the occasion in this fixture. The Super Eagles have contested the AFCON bronze-medal match eight times before, and won all eight.
Saturday’s clash will be the 20th meeting between the two countries. Nigeria hold the historical edge with nine wins, five defeats and five draws.
There is also recent history between the teams. On the eve of AFCON 2025, they met in an unofficial warm-up game which Egypt won 2-1, though that match was played without several star names.
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush all missed that friendly. This time, all four are expected to be involved as both sides look to close their campaigns on a high.
