Morocco’s dream of winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1976 continues after a relatively-comfortable 2-0 quarter-final win against Cameroon.
The hosts started on the front foot — backed by a typically-vociferous crowd at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah — and their pressure told in the 26th minute, when Brahim Díaz made it five goals in as many games at this edition of AFCON, scoring via his thigh from close range after a corner had been headed goalwards by Ayoub El Kaabi.
Cameroon came into the match more in the second half but a lack of quality in the final third meant that the Morocco goal was rarely threatened. The home nation then doubled their advantage with 15 minutes remaining, Ismael Saibari firing home after another excellent set-piece delivery.
Morocco, aided by some questionable officiating, progress to an AFCON semi-final for the first time since 2004 — where they will face either Nigeria or Algeria on Wednesday.
Liam Tharme and Nnamdi Onyeagwara analyse an intense game in Rabat.
Can Morocco’s set-piece strength take them all the way?
It can be a bit of a cliche that set pieces matter even more at major tournaments, where preparation time is minimal, though Morocco showed their quality from set pieces in beating Cameroon.
Up against a back three/five it made the challenge of open-play creativity even harder, as Cameroon’s trio of centre-backs were alive and alert early on to a flurry of crossing, multiple times making key defensive headers to prevent Ayoub El Kaabi from getting chances.
Captain Achraf Hakimi was wasteful from the flurry of early corners that Morocco had — five in the opening 17 minutes — before a well-worked outswinger found the head of El Kaabi. His flick towards goal was glanced in by Brahim Diaz, who got across Cameroon captain Nouhou Tolo in the six-yard box.
They continued to threaten with Hakimi’s outswingers in the second-half. Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli flashed a header wide at 1-0, before PSV midfielder Ismael Saibari sealed the win — his low, driven shot came after the ball dropped at the back post from a wide free kick by the right touchline.
Ismael Saibari drives home Morocco’s second goal of the game (Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images)
Considering the quality they will face in the semi-final (against either Nigeria or Algeria, who play tomorrow), having the set-piece string to their bow could prove pivotal.
Liam Tharme
Brahim Diaz shines once more
After switching international allegiance from Spain, Brahim Diaz only made his Morocco debut in March 2024 but he has taken to African football like a duck to water.
His goal against Cameroon continued his superb record of scoring in all of Morocco’s AFCON games in this edition (five in five). It also takes his tally for Morocco to 13 goals in 20 games.
And his performances have not been limited to just goalscoring. Against Cameroon, he waltzed around the pitch with a particular swagger.
Starting on the right of Morocco’s front three, The 26-year-old routinely cut inside, finding himself in attacking midfield positions. Dribbling at speed, turning away from tackles, forcing defenders to commit and often foul him in dangerous positions.
Diaz celebrates after putting Morocco into the lead against Cameroon (Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images)
Had it not been for Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman’s performances, Diaz would be running away with the player of the tournament award.
How fitting that this edition of AFCON’s two standout players may meet in a semi-final showdown next week, should Nigeria beat Algeria on Saturday.
Nnamdi Onyeagwara
A missed opportunity for Cameroon?
Cameroon entered this tournament engulfed in typical Cameroonian chaos.
Controversial president of the Cameroon Football Federation Samuel Eto’o made several questionable decision leading up to beginning of the tournament, including sacking manager Marc Brys 20 days before the start of the tournament in December.
New manager David Pagou then proceeded to leave established number one goalkeeper Andre Onana, second highest goalscorer Vincent Aboubakar, Champions League winner Eric Maxim Chupo Moting. You would have to say the cacophony of changes have not played in Cameroon’s favour at this tournament.
They did record some memorable results, namely the round-of-16 victory over South Africa along with holding reigning champions the Ivory Coast to a draw in the group stage.
Bryan Mbeumo struggled to make an impact against Morocco (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
They were dealt additional difficulties with losing high-flying and goalscoring wing-back Junior Tchamadeu early into the games in addition to extremely questionable refereeing from Dahane Beida.
It also doesn’t help when your talisman, Bryan Mbeumo, is constantly dispossessed and plays several inaccurate passes.
Ultimately, you have to say Eto’o’s gambles have not paid off in Morocco.
Nnamdi Onyeagwara
In praise of the Moroccan defence
Advancing to the semi-finals with a 2-0 win means Morocco have only conceded once in five matches at AFCON — maintaining their record as the best defensive team.
That was what underpinned their success at the 2022 World Cup, when they reached the final four (the first African team to do so), and the impressive part has been staying watertight while becoming a more expansive, attacking team.
Walid Regragui’s side were aggressive out of the gates, pressing high to a soundtrack of the crowd atmosphere, and showed sides to their game when dropping into a 4-1-4-1 block at the start of the second half. They were 1-0 up and knew that Cameroon had to come out and play.
(Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images)
It was a fussy game packed with fouls by both teams (19-16 to Morocco), as Cameroon lacked discipline early on, and Morocco broke up attacks in the second half.
As an older team than Cameroon by almost four years, their experience showed in managing the game. They have only faced 22 shots across 450 minutes this AFCON, limiting Cameroon to just three, and only conceding from a penalty in the group stages, against Mali.
Liam Tharme