AFCON 2025: Hosts Morocco beat Cameroon, zoom into semi-finals

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Hosts Morocco continued their impressive run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2-0 win over five-time champions Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Friday.

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The victory, sealed by goals from Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari, sent the Atlas Lions into the semi-finals, where they will face either Nigeria or Algeria.

The match, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, saw Morocco dominate from the start.

Backed by a loud home crowd, the hosts tested Cameroon’s defence with early crosses and fast attacks. Cameroon’s captain Nouhou Tolo was forced into several important interventions to keep the score level in the opening stages.

Morocco’s persistence paid off in the 26th minute. Díaz tapped in a low header from Ayoub El Kaabi to open the scoring, marking his fifth goal of the tournament.

The goal gave the hosts confidence, and they came close to doubling their lead before half-time, with Abde Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi both missing narrowly.

Cameroon started the second half strongly, controlling possession and trying to create chances. However, the Indomitable Lions struggled to convert opportunities, with Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Kofane failing to test Morocco’s goalkeeper.

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Substitute Georges-Kévin Nkoudou also missed a close-range chance, keeping Cameroon on the back foot.

With 16 minutes left, Morocco secured their win. Ezzalzouli delivered a precise cross into the box, where Saibari took one touch before firing a left-footed shot into the far corner. The second goal effectively ended Cameroon’s hopes of a comeback.

Morocco’s win also extended their unbeaten streak to 22 matches, a run that now stretches back over several tournaments.

Cameroon, meanwhile, were left to rue missed chances, as their strong record against AFCON hosts could not prevent them from being eliminated.

ALSO READ: AFCON 2025: Senegal edge Mali to book semi-final place

Historically, Morocco and Cameroon have a long AFCON rivalry.

Cameroon had gone unbeaten against Morocco in the first three meetings of the tournament, but recent encounters have favored the Atlas Lions, including a 4-0 semi-final win in the 2020 CHAN and a 2-0 victory in AFCON 2019 qualifiers.

The semi-final promises to be another tough test for Morocco, who have now reached the last four for the first time since 2004.