Brahim Diaz maintained his outstanding Africa Cup of Nations scoring streak and Ismael Saibari added a second as hosts Morocco defeated Cameroon 2–0 in their quarter-final on Friday to keep their title hopes firmly on track.
Real Madrid winger Diaz applied the decisive touch to Ayoub El Kaabi’s header in the 26th minute, sparking celebrations among the 64,000-strong crowd at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Diaz’s fifth goal in five matches at the tournament was followed by a composed second-half strike from Saibari, with Morocco fully deserving of their victory as they advanced to a semi-final against the winners of Saturday’s clash between Algeria and Nigeria.
That tie is expected to pose a far sterner challenge for Walid Regragui’s side than Cameroon, who had already exceeded expectations by reaching the last eight following a troubled build-up to the tournament.
The Indomitable Lions, five-time African champions, struggled to threaten, with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo largely isolated and unable to influence proceedings.
Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked side and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, are under intense pressure to lift the Cup of Nations on home soil, 50 years after their last continental triumph. While doubts remain over their ability to shoulder those expectations, they continue to move steadily towards their objective, reaching the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since their 2004 final defeat to Tunisia.
The hosts were unchanged from their narrow last-16 win over Tanzania, extending an unbeaten run that stretches back to their defeat by South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.
Cameroon, fresh from eliminating South Africa in the previous round, set out to frustrate the hosts and dampen the atmosphere, but a repeat of their semi-final victory over Morocco at the 1988 finals never looked likely.
Their task was complicated by an early injury to right wing-back Jackson Tchamadeu, who was stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his knee following a challenge involving Noussair Mazraoui.
Moments later, Morocco struck. Achraf Hakimi’s corner from the right was flicked goalwards by El Kaabi at the near post, with the ball ricocheting off Diaz and into the net.
That goal settled the home crowd, who watched Abde Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi go close before the interval as Morocco asserted control.
Cameroon switched from a back three to a 4-2-3-1 after the break in search of a response, but Morocco continued to dominate. Ezzalzouli headed just over from another Hakimi corner, while a dangerous cross from the Paris Saint-Germain full-back forced Samuel Kotto into a goal-line clearance.
Cameroon appeals for a penalty after a challenge on Mbeumo were waved away, before PSV Eindhoven midfielder Saibari sealed the win in the 74th minute, controlling Ezzalzouli’s set-piece delivery and firing past the goalkeeper to send Morocco marching into Wednesday’s semi-finals.
