Host nation Morocco has officially secured its place in the penultimate stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a comprehensive 2-0 quarter-final triumph over Cameroon on Friday night. The Atlas Lions delivered a disciplined performance at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, fueled by a partisan home crowd eager to witness the kingdom’s first continental title since 1976.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Walid Regragui’s squad, as they successfully navigated a high-pressure knockout encounter against one of Africa’s most decorated footballing nations.
Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz continued his sensational individual form by opening the scoring in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a sustained period of Moroccan pressure. Diaz utilized his sharp instincts to guide the ball into the net from close range, recording his fifth goal in as many tournament appearances and further strengthening his grip on the Golden Boot race. While the Indomitable Lions attempted to claw their way back into the contest during a more competitive second half, the Moroccan defensive unit—led by Nayef Aguerd and Achraf Hakimi—remained resolute, neutralising Cameroon’s veteran strikers at every turn.
The host nation effectively ended the contest in the 74th minute when Ismael Saibari doubled their advantage with a powerful, composed finish. Following a dangerous delivery from a corner kick, the PSV Eindhoven midfielder found himself unmarked in the area and lashed a strike past the Cameroonian goalkeeper to ignite wild celebrations in Rabat. This second goal rewarded Morocco’s tactical patience and ability to exploit set-piece scenarios, a recurring theme throughout their journey in this competition.
Morocco now advances to the semi-finals on Wednesday, January 14, where they await the victor of today’s blockbuster quarter-final clash between Nigeria and Algeria. Analysts expect a massive television audience for that potential semi-final matchup, regardless of which North-South rival progresses to face the hosts. For Cameroon, the defeat signals the end of a spirited campaign that saw them outlast many fellow heavyweights, while Morocco moves within two wins of lifting the trophy on home soil.
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