Morocco secured a place in the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday night. Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz continued his sensational form, opening the scoring in the 26th minute. The goal came after a corner from Achraf Hakimi was glanced toward the net by Ayoub El Kaabi, with Diaz applying the final touch to steer it home. This strike marked Diaz’s fifth goal in as many games, making him the first Moroccan player in history to score in five consecutive matches at a single AFCON tournament.
The “Atlas Lions” dominated possession throughout the encounter, playing with an intensity that left the “Indomitable Lions” of Cameroon looking unsettled. Morocco doubled their lead in the 74th minute through Ismael Saibari, who capitalized on a set-piece situation to fire a left-footed shot into the back of the net from 12 yards out. The win was historic for the hosts, as it marked the first time Morocco has ever defeated Cameroon in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. Under the guidance of head coach Walid Regragui, Morocco is now just two wins away from ending their 50-year continental title drought.
In the other quarterfinal match held in Tangier, Senegal edged out a ten-man Mali side with a 1-0 victory. Iliman Ndiaye scored the lone goal in the 27th minute after Mali’s goalkeeper fumbled a cross. Mali’s hopes were further dented when captain Yves Bissouma was shown a second yellow card just before halftime. Senegal will now move on to face either Egypt or Ivory Coast in the semifinals. The results on Friday set the stage for a high-stakes finish to the tournament, with Morocco scheduled to face the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal clash between Nigeria and Algeria.
As the tournament enters its final week, the focus remains on Brahim Diaz, whose goal-scoring streak has made him the favorite for the Player of the Tournament award. However, the forward left the pitch late in the game with a heavily strapped thigh, raising concerns about his availability for the semifinal in Rabat on Wednesday. Coach Regragui expressed optimism after the match, stating that the victory over their “hoodoo” opponents, Cameroon, has given the team the belief they need to lift the trophy on home soil.
