JAKARTA - Brahim Diaz extended his scoring record in every round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Africa Cup of Nations/Afcon) when Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 in Rabat on Saturday, January 10, 2026, early morning WIB.
Atlas Lions advanced to the semifinals for the first time since they became losing finalists in 2004. They will return to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Thursday, January 15, 2026, early morning WIB, to face the winner between Nigeria vs Algeria, who will meet in Marrakesh on Saturday, January 10, 2026, evening WIB.
Diaz has been the driving force for Morocco since the tournament began. He scored his fifth goal in five consecutive matches when he deflected Ayoub El Kaabi's pass past Devis Epassy in the 26th minute to give Morocco the deserved lead over their dominance of Cameroon.
Ismael Saibari then scored the team's second goal. The player who was criticized by fans and media during the tournament until now has made Morocco comfortable with a two-goal lead in the 74th minute. He greeted Nayef Aguerd's header after a free kick and fired a hard shot without escort.
At the start of the match, both teams were involved in a fierce battle. Morocco asked for a penalty in the first minute when Bilal El Khannouss' shot seemed to hit Samuel Kotto's arm in the penalty box.
The situation aroused the enthusiasm of the home fans. The whistling of the supporters was deafening every time Cameroon had a long possession of the ball.
Meanwhile, every incident that resembles a violation by the Atlas Lions gets a chorus of disapproval.
Abde Ezzalzouli, one of several Moroccan players who have been threatening during this tournament, his free kick was successfully blocked by Christian Kofane at the start of the match.
Later, a dangerous cross from the Real Betis winger required an acrobatic save from Nouhou Tolo early in the game as the hosts found their rhythm.
Achraf Hakimi, who started the second game in a row as a starter, forced Arthur Avom to get a yellow card early in the match after being brought down on the edge of the penalty box.
The movement of the Paris Saint-Germain player on the inside of the pitch added a new dimension to Morocco as he returned to top physical condition.
However, Cameroon performed with commendable determination. Moreover, given the fact that their coach, David Pagou, has formed a functional team from the remnants of Marc Brys' leadership after replacing the Belgian coach less than three weeks before the tournament.
Only, they began to falter in the middle of the first half. Cameroon suffered a setback in the 24th minute when Junior Tchamadeu was replaced while crying after apparently suffering a knee injury.
This made it difficult for Cameroon to rearrange the defense. As a result, the disaster came two minutes later when El Kaabi headed the ball from Hakimi's corner to Diaz, who managed to pass Tolo and direct the ball past Devis Epassy from close range.
El Kaabi set up Ezzalzouli in the 37th minute, creating another chance for the hosts, although the winger was only able to fire a curling shot that went wide of Epassy's post.
Morocco entered the break with almost 60 percent ball possession, after firing five shots compared to Cameroon's two shots.
The last match went at a similar pace after the break. Ezzalzouli got the first chance in the second half. He ran to greet the corner kick and sent a hard header, but the ball still passed the crossbar.
Shortly after the 60th minute, Kotto made a brilliant save on the Cameroon goal line after Saibari jumped to meet Hakimi's cross.
It was a reminder to Cameroon that they needed to do something, whatever it was. They tried to increase their attack threat after that, with Bryan Mbeumo getting more and more possession on the left side of Morocco.
Mbeumo's corner found substitute Georges-Kevin Nkoudou at the back post in the 71st minute, but his diving header went wide of the target.
Instead of getting an equalizer, three minutes later Cameroon conceded again. Saibari added a goal for Morocco.
Ezzalzouli's sharp pass from the right found Aguerd, who jumped over the Cameroon defenders. His penetrating pass was then received by Saibari, who was unmarked and fired a hard shot into the corner of Epassy's goal.
Cameroon came home with their heads held high after overcoming their chaotic preparations to reach the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Morocco, with the enthusiasm now rising after their recent stuttering performances, may never have a better chance of ending their half-century wait for an African Cup of Nations title.
Coach Walid Regragui who had previously also received a lot of criticism has begun to get attention even though it has not resulted in support.
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