‘Not again!!!’ — Heartbroken Nwabali rues Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 semifinal loss to Morocco

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has summed up Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 heartbreak in just two words after their semifinal exit to Morocco.

The shot-stopper took to social media to express his pain following another cruel penalty shoot-out defeat.

Shortly after the final whistle in Rabat, a visibly devastated Nwabali posted on X, writing: “Not again!!!! 🤦🏽‍♂️💔”. The message captured the frustration of a goalkeeper who once again did everything possible, only to end up on the losing side.

The post appeared to reference Nigeria’s growing penalty shoot-out trauma, coming just months after the Super Eagles were beaten by DR Congo on spot-kicks in the CAF World Cup qualification playoffs.

On that occasion, Nwabali saved two penalties, yet Nigeria still missed out on a potential World Cup berth after teammates failed to convert their kicks.

Against Morocco, history repeated itself. Nwabali was Nigeria’s standout performer, keeping the Super Eagles alive throughout normal and extra time with a series of crucial interventions.

Despite making five saves during the match and stopping one penalty in the shoot-out, the goalkeeper was again left heartbroken as Nigeria crashed out of the competition.

As expected from a clash between two African heavyweights, Nigeria vs Morocco went the distance. After a dull 0-0 draw across 120 minutes, the semifinal was settled from the penalty spot, where Nigeria fell 4-2.

Bruno Onyemaechi and Samuel Chukwueze’s missed penalties proved decisive, opening the door for Morocco. Youssef En-Nesyri then stepped up to score the winning spot-kick, sending the Atlas Lions into the final, where they will face Senegal, who earlier defeated Egypt.

For Nwabali, the defeat was particularly cruel. He was the last line of resistance in normal and extra time and delivered again in the shoot-out, yet it still was not enough.

As Nigeria’s AFCON dream ended in familiar fashion, the goalkeeper’s emotional reaction was a glimpse into the collective pain of a nation left wondering when penalty heartbreak will finally stop.