Morocco beat Cameroon to qualify for Semifinals
Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, securing their place in the semifinals. Goals from Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari sealed the victory for the host nation, while Cameroon struggled to create meaningful chances.
The highly anticipated quarterfinal clash between Cameroon and Morocco took place on January 9, 2025, in Rabat. Morocco, the host nation, entered the game with confidence after topping Group A and edging past Tanzania in the Round of 16. Cameroon, meanwhile, had shown resilience, finishing second in their group and defeating South Africa in the previous round. The match promised intensity, with both sides boasting star players like Brahim Díaz, Achraf Hakimi, Bryan Mbeumo, and Carlos Baleba.
Morocco started brightly, buoyed by the home crowd, and quickly established control of possession. Their dominance paid off in the 26th minute, when Brahim Díaz capitalized on a flicked header from Ayoub El Kaabi to slot home the opening goal. Cameroon, despite their physical presence, struggled to break down Morocco’s organized defense and failed to register clear-cut opportunities before halftime.
The Indomitable Lions looked disjointed in attack, with their midfield unable to link effectively with the forwards. Bryan Mbeumo and Vincent Aboubakar were largely isolated, and Morocco’s defensive line, marshaled by Achraf Hakimi, kept them at bay. Cameroon’s frustrations grew as they committed fouls in midfield, disrupting their rhythm and allowing Morocco to dictate the tempo.
Morocco continued to press for a second goal after the break, maintaining composure and patience in their buildup. Their persistence was rewarded in the 73rd minute, when Ismael Saibari found space in the box following a corner and calmly finished to double the lead. The goal effectively ended Cameroon’s hopes, as they lacked the creativity to mount a comeback.
In the final quarter of the match, Morocco managed the game expertly, slowing down play and frustrating Cameroon’s attempts to regain momentum. The Indomitable Lions pushed forward but were met with resolute defending and sharp counterattacks from the Atlas Lions. The home crowd celebrated every clearance and save, sensing that their team was on the verge of a historic semifinal berth.
The match ended 2-0 in favor of Morocco, a result that reflected their dominance and tactical discipline. Brahim Díaz once again proved decisive, continuing his fine scoring form in the tournament, while Saibari’s strike sealed the victory. Cameroon, though spirited, were undone by their lack of attacking cohesion. Morocco now advances to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of Nigeria vs Algeria, while Cameroon exits the competition after a commendable but ultimately insufficient campaign.
