Overview:
Morocco progresses to the semi-finals and will now face the winner between Algeria and Nigeria on Wednesday, 14th January 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellaziz Stadium, Rabat.
AFCON 2025 (Quarter-finals):
AFCON 2025 host country Morocco progressed to the semi-final stage of the competition with a 2-0 resounding victory over Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellaziz Stadium in Rabat city on Friday.
A goal in either half from Brahim Abdellakader Diaz and Ismael Saibari inspired the Atlas Lions before a record 64, 178 spectators.
Diaz, a Real Madrid star player opened the scoring business in the 26th minute with a header off Ayoub El Kaabi’s assist after an inviting corner kick by skipper Achraf Hakimi.
Saibari of PSV Eindhoven put the icing on the cake with a great finish in the 73rd minute.
Right from the onset of play, Morocco has been the better side, creating the most of the goal scoring opponents.
Diaz got down at the edge of the goal area following a foul by Aboubakar Nagida on five minutes before the hosts won two quick corner kicks in succession.
Cameroon’s left back Arthur Avom Loader picked up a caution after fouling Morocco captain Hakimi on 9 minutes.
Morocco maintained the pressure with another a free-kick on the goal edge after Cameroon skipper Tolo fouled Diaz in the 18th minute.
Cameroon had a forced change when Junior Baptiste Tchamadu was stretchered off for Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe on 23 minutes.
The break-through moment for the game arrived in the 26th minute when Diaz’s header beat goalkeeper Devis Rogers Epassy Mboka fter a knock in by forward El Kaabi following Hakimi’s inviting corner kick
This was Diaz’s fifth goal of the competition having scored in the fifth successive game at this championship.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli recorded a shot off target from the left flank on 37 minutes.
Cameroon captain Tolo Nouhou received a booking in the 39th minute for a late tackle onto Diaz.
El Kaabi hit the side netting in another attack from the left after being set up by Ezzalzouli in the closing moments of the first half.
As the second half restarted, the noisy home crowd kept pushing the players with wild chanting.
Morocco picked up their first caution when Bilal El Khannouss fouled Carlos Noom Baleba inside the circle arc area in the 49th minutes.
On 58 minutes, first half substitute Kevin Junior Dina Ebimbe paved way Georges Kevin Nkoudou Mbida.
Ismael Saibari looked on in disbelief when his header off Hakimi’s cross on the right missed finding the back of the net, thanks to the timely intervention from the goalkeeper Epassy.
Morocco called for a double change in the 66th minute. Youssef En Nesyri and Sofyan Ambrabat replacing Ayoub El Kaabi and Bilal El Khannouss respectively.
Saibari made it two in the 73rd minute with a great strike that sparked wild celebrations across the entire stadium.
Cameroon staged a gallant display towards the end of the match but the Morocco defense remained solid.
Saibari was named man of the match as the Morocoan fans celebrated a momentous victory.
Morocco progresses to the semi-finals and will now face the winner between Algeria and Nigeria on Wednesday, 14th January 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellaziz Stadium, Rabat.
Algeria will face off with Nigeria on Saturday afternoon in Marrakech.
The earlier quarter final witnessed Senegal overcome 10-man Mali 1-0 in Tangier.
Senegal will now tussle the winner between Egypt and the reigning champions Cote D’Ivoire at the semi-final stage.
Egypt face Cote D’Ivoire in the quarters at Agadir stadium on Saturday night.
Team Line Ups
Cameroon XI: Devis Rogers Epassy Mboka (G.K), Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu, Junior Che Malone, Tolo Nouhou (Captain), Bryan Marceau Mbeumo Tetsadong, Daniel Namaso Loader, Arthur Avom Ebong, Samuel Junior Kotto, Aboubakar Nagida Mahamaou, Carlos Baleba Noom Quomah, Christian Michel Kofane
Subs: Simon Loti Omossola Medjo (G.K), Simon Brady Ngapandouetnbu (G.K), Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe, Arnold Mael Kamdem, Christopher Wooh, Gerzino Nyamisi Kemtchou, Georges Kevin Nkoudou Mbida, Jean Emile Junior Onana Onana, Franck Mario Magri, Christian Mougang Bassogog, Serge Patrick Njoh Soko, Darlin Zidane Yongwa Ngameni, Michel Kemen Olivier, Karl Edouard Blaise Etta Eyong, Enzo Thiedort Boyomo Flavien
Head coach: David Pagou (Cameroon)
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou (G.K), Achraf Hakimi (Captain), Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, Ismael Saibari, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Adam Masina
Subs: Elmedhi Al Harrar (G.K), Monir El Kajoui (G.K), Sofyan Amrabat, Hamza Igamane, Soufiane Rahimi, Ben Seghir Eliesse, Oussama Targhalline, Mohamed Chibi, Ilias Akhomach,, Jawad El Yamiq, Youssef En Nesyri, Chemsdine Talbi, Anass Salah Eddine, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Youssef Belammari
Head coach: Hoalid Regregui (Morocco)
Match officials:
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos (Angola)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Meirelles De O. Sanche Lopes (Angola)
Fourth official: Mahmood Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
Commissioner: Massa Diarra (Mauritania)
General Coordinator: Khaled Lemkecher (Tunisia)
VAR: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
AVAR: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
AVAR 1: Babacar Sarr (Mauritania)