The five-set contest swung from end to end before the North Africans held their nerve in the decider. Set scores were 20–25, 25–15, 25–20, 24–26, 15–12.
Nigeria made a strong start, taking the opening set 25–20. Morocco hit back immediately, winning the second 25–15 and then the third 25–20 to move within one set of the last four.
The West Africans refused to fold. They forced a fifth set by winning a tense fourth 26–24, but Morocco composed themselves at the key moments to close out the match 15–12.
The result ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals despite another determined five-set performance. The team had reached the last eight after a 3–2 comeback win over Algeria in their final group match, recovering from twice falling behind to win 23–25, 25–19, 21–25, 25–20, 15–12.
Morocco had earlier secured their quarter-final place with a 3–0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
The championship is being staged in Tunis from 15 to 25 September. The African champion will qualify for the men’s volleyball competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, while three African teams will earn places at the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in Poland.
Nigeria, among Africa’s leading volleyball nations and runners-up at the 2001 African Championship, had hoped to improve on their continental record in Tunisia. The quarter-final exit ends their title bid, but successive five-set battles against Algeria and Morocco underlined the competitiveness of their campaign.
Morocco now advance to the last four, while Nigeria’s focus turns to the remaining classification fixtures as the tournament continues.