1988 Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Claude Le Roy has highlighted that Morocco's physically demanding semifinal against Nigeria left the North Africans fatigued before they faced Senegal in the 2025 Afcon final.

The Super Eagles versus Atlas Lions semifinal clash extended to over two hours and was decided by a penalty shootout, with the hosts winning 4-2 after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi saw their spot kicks saved. 

Heading into the semifinal, Nigeria were arguably the tournament’s standout side, having won all five of their matches and scored a competition-high fourteen goals, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen directly participating in thirteen of them.

Although the Super Eagles were defensively solid and frustrated Morocco, they created little going forward as their dangerous duo Osimhen and Lookman were kept in check.

Le Roy noted that the grueling semifinal against the Super Eagles left Morocco less fresh and less sharp than they had been throughout the competition.

When asked to name the best team at the recently concluded Afcon, Le Roy said on Canal+: "The best team of this Afcon overall was Morocco, and the best team of the final was Senegal. So this victory in the final rewards a higher quality performance.

"Perhaps, Morocco, physically, with two hours in the semifinal against a formidable Nigeria team, pushed themselves quite hard, especially with the penalty shootout. 

"That took its toll on them a little bit, but in the final Senegal was better. Throughout the competition, Morocco had been impressive."

Nigeria defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties to claim third place, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the hero for the Super Eagles by saving spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel