Nigeria will face hosts Morocco in the fifth final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca Sunday.
The two powerhouses of African football will be gracing the final of the continental showpiece reserved for home-based professionals for the first time.
Nigeria edged stubborn Sudan 1-0 in Marrakech, while Morocco thumped Libya 3-1 in extra time in Casablanca in Wednesday semifinals to sail through.
Gabriel Okechukwu was the toast for the Super Eagles of Nigeria – netting the lone goal in the 16th minute to end Sudan’s fairy tale run in the tournament.
Both teams finished with ten-men each after Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Sudan’s Bachir Makki Bakri were sent off in the 58th and 86th minutes respectively.
“It was really hard for both sides. They (Sudan) pushed us to the wall especially after the red card.
“We tried to go on the counter attack and make the defense compact so as not to give spaces for them at the back.
“They had some good moments but we defeated them in the end,” Nigeria coach Yusuf Salisu said after the game.
Sudan coach Zdravko Logarusic on the other hand is happy with the progress his team has made since he took charge.
“Sometimes in football, you don’t deserve to lose but end up losing. Other times, you don’t deserve to win, but end up winning. Today was one of such days.
“What is important after five weeks of being in charge is that we are seeing some progress and are playing nice football.”
Morocco 3-1 Libya
Tournament’s leading and record goal scorer Ayoub El Kaabi grabbed a brace with Wild El Karti scoring another to propel Morocco past Libya in extra time.
El Kaabi broke the deadlock in the 16th minute – heading home Zakaria Hadraf’s pin point left cross.
But Abdulrahman Khalifa silenced the partisan home crowd with only five minutes on the clock with the leveler – punishing goalkeeper Anas Zniti’s failed attempt to dribble Saleh Taher.
El Kaabi scored his brace and eighth overall in the 97th minute to restore the hosts lead with an easy tap in off defender Jawad El Yamiq flick.
El Karti sealed the 3-1 win from the spot in the 115th minute after he was hacked down in the box by Mohamed Almaghasi.
“Congratulations to all Moroccans for the team’s qualification to the final. It was a good game despite the fact that we made some mistakes. In general we played well and against a tough opponent,” Morocco coach Jamal Sellami said.
His equal opposite Omar Mohammed Elmaryami conceded defeat.
“Morocco played well and I have to congratulate them and not talk about decisions that did not go our way.”
Libya and Sudan will face off the third place playoff on Sunday before the final.
