Abde Ezzalzouli looks to bend one into the bottom corner but Nwabali pushes wide.

Just before that, Nigeria launched a promising counter-attack but once again a wayward pass stopped them in their tracks.

Image source, Getty Images

Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on Channel 4

The shot from Hakimi does hit the hand of Bassey doesn't it? But it's right by his side.

Achraf Hakimi lets fly from distance, but his shot is blocked by Calvin Bassey.

Morocco's players say the Nigerian defender handled the ball, as do thousands of fans who whistle in unison.

Play goes on.

Onyedika is booked for shoving over Achraf Hakimi with the Moroccan skipper striding towards the Nigeria penalty area.

Image source, Getty Images

Abde Ezzalzouli beats Osayi-Samuel to the byline and takes out goalkeeper Nwabali, but Bruno Onyemaechi heads behind for a corner at the back post with Moroccan attackers lurking.

El Kaabi heads wide from the corner.

Calvin Bassey once again out-muscles and out-paces El-Kaabi in a one-on-one, allowing Nwabali to come and collect.

The Fulham defender has been superb tonight, especially when you consider he was booked early on.

He'll play no part in Sunday's final if Nigeria get there.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Iwobi threads a pass into the box to the feet of Victor Osimhen, but the Nigeria striker can't quite keep the ball under control and Morocco clear.

Morocco break and El Kaabi looks to be through on goal, but Calvin Basey catches up to him with great recovery pace.

Fore his troubles he gets a little shove from El Kaabi which sends him clattering into his own goalkeeper.

Abde Ezzalzouli is penalised for a push on Osayi-Samuel, and is lucky to escape a booking for blasting the ball away.

Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on Channel 4

Talk about tension with a capital T.

You can't underestimate the pressure that is on the home team Morocco here, not only to get to the final, but to win.

Image source, Getty Images

Nigeria reort to hoisting a long ball up towards Victor Osimhen, but he gets nowhere near it as Noussir Mazraoui comes hurtling over the top of him.

At the other end, the Morocco press forces Nwabali to shank his clearance into touch.

Ian Williams
BBC Sport Africa in Rabat

The home fans definitely feel like their side are getting the upper hand.

There is a cacophony of whistles whenever Nigeria have the ball whereas the chants of "Dima Maghreb!" are now coming with more regularity for the Atlas Lions.

Rough translation: long live Morocco. These players can turn themselves into legends by reaching a first final since 2004.

Image source, Reuters

Ezzalzouli's free-kick from the left goes all the way through, but nobody gets a touch and Nwabali scrambles across the gather.

Osayi-Samuel almost gets caught out by a probing long ball, but the Nigeria defender just about manages to hook the ball away under pressure from Abde Ezzalzouli.

The margins are so fine that a mistake could prove to be the difference.

Mazraoui tip-toes past a couple of challenges and looks to lay off El Kaabi, but as the strike pulls back the trigger Calvin Bassey makes a crucial intervention and Nigeria clear.

This half is coming to life now.

Morocco go up the other end and almost respond instantly, but Abde Ezzalzouli curling effort towards the bottom corner is tipped wide by Nwabali.

Big save that.

First chance of the half goes to Nigeria.

Alex Iwobi picks out Bruno on the left flank with a beautiful pass, and he swings in a cross.

Victor Osimhen nods it down but Onyedika pulls his shot from the edge of the box well wide.

Nigeria kick-off the second half.

John Bennett
BBC reporter on BBC World Service AFCON semi-finals preview

Image source, Getty Images

It’s credit to Morocco but I’ve been disappointed by Nigeria when it comes to the final third. They’re nothing like the flowing attacking side they were in the quarter-finals.

Inside the stadium the crowd roars every time Brahim Diaz or Achraf Hakimi are on the ball and the noise, at times, is amazing. But I still feel the Morocco players and staff want more from this crowd.

Walid Regragui made a point yesterday at the press conference of appealing to them to “lose their voices” by the end of the game and at one stage during the match Hakimi waved his arms in the air urging the fans to ramp things up. Let’s see if they rise to Hakimi and Regragui’s challenge second half.

Ian Williams
BBC Sport Africa in Rabat

No goals but that was still a gripping first half with a harum-scarum feel to it.

I suspect both sides will feel relatively happy - Morocco as they have slightly edged it and Nigeria because they are still level and largely limited their opponents' chances.

The crowd applauded their heroes off, so they obviously appreciated the fare on show. What will the second half serve up?