Hosts Morocco and defending champions Senegal have secured their places in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 after impressive quarter-final victories on Friday night, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
Morocco eased past Cameroon with a convincing 2–0 win at a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, while Senegal edged a tense West African derby 1–0 against Mali in Tangier.
Diaz, Saibari Power Morocco Past Cameroon
Morocco continued their strong home campaign with a dominant display against Cameroon, ending a long-standing AFCON jinx against the Indomitable Lions and keeping their dream of a second continental title alive.
Brahim Díaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute, continuing his outstanding form at the tournament. The Real Madrid attacker reacted quickest to a flick-on from Ayoub El Kaabi, steering the ball into the net from close range after an Achraf Hakimi corner. The strike saw Díaz become only the second player in AFCON history, after Ghana’s Osei Kofi, to score in five consecutive matches at a single tournament.
The Atlas Lions controlled the opening stages, pressing high and keeping Cameroon pinned in their own half. Morocco nearly doubled their advantage before the break, but El Kaabi fired into the side netting after being released on the counter by Abde Ezzalzouli.
Cameroon showed more urgency after the interval, but they struggled to break down a disciplined Moroccan defence. Their clearest opportunity fell to Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, whose diving header from a corner drifted just wide.
Morocco sealed the victory in the 74th minute when Ismail Saibari finished calmly from close range. Nayef Aguerd’s clever touch redirected Ezzalzouli’s free-kick into Saibari’s path, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters. Walid Regragui’s men saw out the remainder of the match comfortably, recording their first AFCON victory over Cameroon and only their third win in 13 meetings across all competitions. Morocco will now face the winner of the quarter-final clash between Nigeria and Algeria in the semi-finals.
Ndiaye Sends Senegal into Last Four
Earlier in the day, Senegal booked their semi-final ticket with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Mali at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Iliman Ndiaye, making his first start of the tournament, scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute after capitalising on a handling error by Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, tapping home from close range.
The encounter was fiercely contested, with both teams battling for control in midfield and clear-cut chances at a premium. Mali’s task became more difficult just before half-time when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving his side to play the entire second half with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mali defended bravely and remained a threat on the counter, with Diarra making several important saves to keep his side in contention. Senegal, however, managed the game with experience and composure, controlling possession and limiting Mali’s attacking opportunities.
The reigning champions held firm through the closing stages to seal their place in the last four, where they will face the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between record champions Egypt and holders Côte d’Ivoire, as the race for AFCON 2025 glory intensifies.