Morocco, this year’s AFCON hosts, secured a semi-final spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. They beat Cameroon with a strong win in Rabat.
Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari each scored once. One goal per half sealed the victory. Cameroon barely posed a threat.
In the 26th minute, Diaz scored from close range. Ayoub El Kaabi flicked on a corner. Diaz used his thigh to guide the ball in. It marked his fifth goal this tournament.
Saibari’s strike came from a set piece too. He grabbed a loose ball from a free kick. Then he fired a low left-footed shot into the net.
Fans created a wild atmosphere like North African crowds at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Walid Regragui’s team stayed safe in a heated match.
Morocco matched their semi-final run from Qatar. They need two more wins for a first title since 1976.
The Atlas Lions hold a 25-game unbeaten streak. It started after their last-16 loss in 2023. This is their first Afcon semi-final since 2004. They lost the final that year to Tunisia.
They get home advantage again on Wednesday. Kickoff is at 20:00 GMT. They face the winner of Algeria vs Nigeria. That quarter-final starts Saturday at 16:00 GMT.
Diaz keeps scoring
Morocco had lost all three prior Afcon games to Cameroon.
Their last meeting was almost 34 years ago. Cameroon won three titles since then. They have five total. Morocco has just one from 50 years back.
Morocco invested heavily in facilities and coaching for over a decade. Now they hold the edge. Regragui’s team showed real control for the first time here.
The 69,500-seat stadium will co-host the 2030 World Cup. Fans clapped thunderously for Morocco. They whistled during Cameroon’s ball time.
Cameroon’s young team struggled with the energy. Morocco’s press hurt them early. It forced many corners and free kicks in the first 30 minutes.
Diaz stayed onside by a hair. He stayed cool to thigh El Kaabi’s header into the net. Diaz had three group-stage goals plus the last-16 winner vs Tanzania.
El Kaabi and Abde Ezzalzouli hit the side netting. Cameroon lost right wing-back Junior Tchamadeu to injury.
Tensions rose. Cameroon captain Nouhou Tolo got a yellow for a foul on Diaz. Benches clashed after Ezzalzouli went down.
The second half evened out. But Morocco stayed in charge.
Ezzalzouli troubled Cameroon often. He headed onto the net roof after a sharp run. Saibari had a shot cleared off the line. It likely would have been ruled out for handball anyway.
Cameroon beat South Africa in the last 16 with low possession. Here they had no shots on target. Sub Georges-Kevin Nkoudou came closest. He tipped a corner header wide.
Saibari sealed it in the 74th. He took Nayef Aguerd’s flick at the far post. He steadied and shot back across goal.
Captain Achraf Hakimi played a full 90 minutes. It was his second straight game back from injury.
Some fans and experts questioned Morocco before this. Now the nation believes. They can end their long Afcon wait at home. The Atlas Lions tamed the Indomitable Lions with ease.
The next opponent faces a tough crowd. They must bring their best.
