It was incredible scenes as Nigeria advance to the last four of the African Nations Championship after coming behind from 3-0 down after the first 45 minutes of the game to beat Morocco 4-3 after extra time. It was an excellent effort from the players who never gave up despite a miserable first half, and going into extra time there appeared to be only one winner as a costly mistake from Morocco keeper Nadir Lamyaghri handed Abubakar Ibrahim the chance to hit his side into the semi-finals and he duly slotted the ball home.
Abdulbakar Ibrahim's extra time goal capped a remarkable comeback from three goals down to see Nigeria through the African Nations Championship semi-final after seeing off a shell-shocked Moroccan side.
Morocco look set to coast into the last four after three goals in seven first half minutes and a defensive meltdown from Nigeria, left them with what appeared to be an unassailable lead.
Their opening goal involved Abdelkadir El Ouadi who laid the ball to Mouhssine Moutouali who slipped the ball past Chizogie Agbim on 33 minutes.
With Nigeria reeling, their opponents nabbed a second goal thanks to Mouhssine Iajour's low free kick from the edge of the area.
The Super Eagles hopes seemed over when El Ouadi again linked up with Moutouali, before the winger unleashed a low drive beyond Agbim.
However, the half-time break seemed to re-energise Nigeria and Ifeanyi Ede had pulled a goal back within four minutes of the restart.
On 55 minutes, Ede turned provider when he headed down a cross for Kabiu Ali, who rifled the ball home to give the Super Eagles hope of an unlikely comeback.
Their equaliser came in dramatic fashion when, with the clock of 90 minutes, Ejike Uzoenyi (Nigerian Messi) picked the ball on the edge of the area and, after beating two players, unleashed a fierce shot hit the underside of the bar and nestled in the back of the net.
After forcing extra time, Uzoenyi continued to threaten the Morocco defence, seeing one shot saved and providing a chance for Ali in the first period.
However, Nigeria's winning goal came with eight minutes left as Uzoenyi's cross was horribly spilled by keeper Nadir Lamyaghri and fell into the path of Ibrahim and, from two yards, had gifted Nigeria a place in the last four.
They await the winners of the Ghana v DR Congo quarter-final to be played on Sunday
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