Ademola Lookman reflects on Morocco heartbreak as Nigeria struggle to move on

He added that their focus is yet to shift to the third-place playoff against Egypt.

Nigeria's dream of lifting a fourth AFCON title came to an abrupt end after a tense semi-final clash in Rabat finished level following extra time, before the hosts held their nerve from the spot.

For a Super Eagles side that had swept aside their opponents en route to the last four, the manner of the defeat proved especially difficult to digest.

Reflecting on the contest, Lookman highlighted the sheer demands of the encounter and the agony of losing on penalties.

"It was a tough game. We played 120 minutes. It was a difficult game, but obviously to lose on penalties is even more difficult," the forward told the media.

Lookman was also quick to acknowledge the quality of the opposition, describing Morocco as a strong and well-organised side that pushed Nigeria to their absolute limit.

He noted that there was little to separate the two teams over the course of the match, with the outcome ultimately decided by fine margins.

Asked about Nigeria's upcoming meeting with Egypt in the third-place playoff, Lookman conceded that the squad was still coming to terms with the disappointment of the semi-final exit.

"To be honest, not really thinking about that. Obviously because of the disappointment of tonight," he admitted.

The defeat was a major blow for a Nigerian team widely tipped as favourites after winning all five of their matches earlier in the tournament.

Confidence had grown with each performance, making the sudden end to their title charge even more painful.

Now, the Super Eagles must regroup quickly as they prepare to face the Pharaohs on Saturday, with the opportunity to secure a bronze medal and close their AFCON 2025 campaign on a positive note.