Morocco have emphatically booked their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, finally delivering a performance worthy of tournament hosts with a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon. After a stuttering start to their campaign, the Atlas Lions roared into life at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with goals from Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari sealing a fine win.
A Tense Start Gives Way to Moroccan Dominance
The weight of expectation on Morocco has been immense. Hosting the tournament for the first time in 50 years, and with massive investment in football infrastructure ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, their previous four matches had been nervy and disjointed. Coach Walid Regragui had even faced boos from sections of the home support during their narrow last-16 win over Tanzania.
The contrast in the dressing rooms before kick-off was stark. Broadcast on the stadium screens, the Moroccan camp appeared pensive and focused, while their Cameroonian counterparts were seen singing and dancing. Yet any anxiety vanished once the whistle blew. Driven by a ferocious, vocal crowd, Morocco pressed with intensity from the outset, penning Cameroon back and winning a succession of early set-pieces.
Cameroon, whose chaotic build-up featured a dispute over the coaching appointment, struggled to cope. Their attempts to disrupt Morocco's rhythm were frequent, and they suffered a genuine blow when right wing-back Junior Tchamadeu was forced off with a knee injury after a challenge with Noussair Mazraoui.
Díaz and Saibari Provide the Decisive Spark
The breakthrough came from Morocco's sixth corner of the game. Ayoub El Kaabi rose highest to head the ball towards the back post, where Brahim Díaz was perfectly positioned to nudge home his fourth goal of the tournament. The Real Madrid forward's clever finish gave the hosts a deserved lead they would never relinquish.
Cameroon, five-time champions but fielding a younger side after a clear-out of older players, offered little in response. Morocco controlled the tempo, showing the maturity that took them to a World Cup semi-final in 2022. The victory was sealed with 16 minutes remaining, again from a set-piece. A free-kick found its way to Ismael Saibari at the back post, and the midfielder slammed an angled shot into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Regragui's Relief and the Road Ahead
This was a victory of control and composure, a world away from the tense display against Tanzania. While Cameroon were furious with a late referee change—Mauritanian official Dahane Beida replaced the originally appointed Egyptian—and several decisions, they were ultimately outplayed by a superior side.
For Regragui, whose record stands at just four defeats in 47 games, the pressure is momentarily alleviated. However, the expectation in Morocco is clear: win the Cup of Nations. Speculation suggests that failure to lift the trophy could see him replaced before the 2030 World Cup, potentially by Tarik Sektioui, who led a second-string side to Arab Cup glory in December.
Morocco's semi-final opponents will provide a sterner test, and questions remain about their consistent goal threat. But in this quarter-final, they finally looked like potential champions, combining verve with defensive solidity to sail into the last four.
