RABAT, 10 January – Morocco mauled Cameroon 2-0 to book a semi-final berth at the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
It was dependable forward Brahim Diaz who opened the scoring for the Atlas Lions in the 26th minute of the first half.
In the ensuing dominant play, Ayoub El Kaabi rose above the defenders to head in captain Achraf Hakimi’s corner, which was redirected by Brahim past Indomitable Lions goalkeeper D. Epassy.
Brahim’s goal was his fifth in five matches of the tournament, becoming the only player in the last 57 years to score in the first 5 AFCON games. The host nation, Morocco, came close to extending its lead in the 59th minute when a 17th-minute header went over the bar.
In the 72nd minute, the North Africans’ prayers were answered when Ishmael Saibari well controlled Hakimi’s free kick before unleashing a left-footed, low, fierce shot which nestled in the net. During the match, the Indomitable Lions managed to get three shots on target against Morocco’s six.
In their road to the quarter-finals, Cameroon finished second in Group A behind leaders Ivory Coast and humbled South Africa in the quarter-finals. Morocco topped Group A over Mali and silenced Tanzania in the last round.
The Atlas Lions will meet the winners of the match between Algeria and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in an earlier encounter, Senegal edged past Mali with a solitary goal, 1-0, in the first quarter-final of the day played at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half goal proved decisive in taking Teranga Lions into the semis. At the same time, the Pharaohs of Egypt will face the Elephants of Ivory Coast, and Nigeria’s Super Eagles will look to soar higher than Algeria in Saturday’s 10th January game.
