Morocco defeats Cameroon and reaches the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
On a historic night witnessed by Moroccan stadiums, the Moroccan national team succeeded in securing its place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after achieving a valuable and well-deserved victory over its Cameroonian counterpart by two clean goals, in the football summit that brought them together on Friday evening amidst a huge crowd.
Unravel the knot and return to square one
This victory was more than just a fleeting triumph for the Atlas Lions; it was a breaking of a psychological barrier that had persisted for over two decades. With this qualification, the Moroccan national team returns to the semi-finals of the continental tournament for the first time since the 2004 edition held in Tunisia, where they reached the final. This return is doubly significant as the tournament is being held on Moroccan soil, raising expectations to end years of drought during which Moroccans have only tasted continental glory once, in 1976 in Ethiopia.
Match scenario and star player brilliance
The Moroccan national team dominated the match, translating their superiority into decisive goals. Star player Brahim Diaz continued his exceptional performances, brilliantly opening the scoring in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a perfectly placed header from his teammate Ayoub El Kaabi. This goal not only gave Morocco the lead but also solidified Diaz's position at the top of the tournament's scoring charts with five goals, confirming his status as coach Walid Regragui's trump card in this edition of the competition.
In the second half, while the Cameroonian team was trying to come back, the brilliant substitute Ismail Saïbaré fired the final shot by scoring the second goal in the 74th minute with a powerful, low ground shot from inside the penalty area, sparking wild celebrations in the stands and securing the home team's passage.
Stay tuned for the upcoming match
Following this achievement, the eyes of Moroccan and Arab fans are now focused on the highly anticipated match that will determine the second semifinalist. The Atlas Lions await the winner of the fiery encounter between Algeria and Nigeria, scheduled for today, Saturday. Whether their next opponent is the Desert Warriors in a purely Maghreb derby, or the Nigerian Super Eagles, the Moroccan national team appears more determined than ever to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to reach the final and compete fiercely for their second star.
