Morocco beat Cameroon to book AFCON 2025 semi-final place

Brahim Díaz scored for the fifth consecutive game as hosts Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday, January 9, keeping alive their hopes of winning a first Africa Cup of Nations title.

Ismaël Saibari was also on target in a controlled, if unspectacular, display in which Morocco were ruthlessly efficient, scoring with two of their three shots on target.

Cameroon had a strong appeal for a second-half penalty after what appeared to be a foul on Bryan Mbeumo, but the Indomitable Lions struggled in the final third and failed to force goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a save over the 90 minutes.

Morocco, who are yet to concede a goal from open play at the tournament, will face the winner of Saturday’s third quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria in the semi-finals. That match will be played in Rabat on Wednesday.

The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute through the prolific Díaz. Achraf Hakimi’s corner was headed goalwards by Ayoub El Kaabi, with the Real Madrid forward reacting quickest to divert the ball in from close range.

Díaz has now scored in all five of Morocco’s matches at the finals, extending his own record for the most goals by a Moroccan player at a single Africa Cup of Nations. However, he was forced off late on with a heavily strapped thigh, which will be a concern for head coach Walid Regragui.

Clear chances were at a premium for both sides. Abde Ezzalzouli headed narrowly over from another Hakimi corner, while Saibari later missed a headed opportunity created by the right-back.

Cameroon were again left frustrated when referee Dahane Beida waved away their penalty claims after Mbeumo went down in the box, and Georges-Kévin Nkoudou headed wide at the back post with their best chance of the match.

Morocco sealed the victory minutes later when Saibari was left unmarked at the far post, allowing him time to control the ball and fire a low finish into the far corner to make it 2-0 and end Cameroon’s challenge.