Hosts Morocco advanced into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals today with a composed 2–0 victory over Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, delivering a performance built on control, efficiency, and defensive authority.
While the scoreline reflected Morocco’s superiority, the quarter-final was played against a tense backdrop of officiating controversy that framed the contest even before kickoff and lingered long after the final whistle.
Brahim Díaz makes it five in five as Morocco strike first
Morocco took the lead in the 26th minute, once again through the tournament’s most decisive individual.
Brahim Díaz, the Real Madrid forward, continued his exceptional AFCON run by scoring for the fifth consecutive match. The goal came from close range after Ayoub El Kaabi’s header dropped invitingly, with Díaz reacting fastest to steer the ball into the net.
It was a goal that encapsulated Morocco’s campaign so far: patient buildup, sustained pressure, and ruthless execution when the opening appeared.
Atlas Lions dominate as Cameroon struggle for momentum
From that point, Morocco tightened their grip on the match.
They controlled possession, dictated tempo, and closed off central spaces, forcing Cameroon wide and into low-percentage attacking positions. The Indomitable Lions, usually among the tournament’s most physical and direct sides, found themselves repeatedly stalled in midfield.
By halftime, Cameroon had failed to create a clear chance, and the pattern of the game suggested that Morocco were always closer to a second goal than Cameroon were to an equaliser.
Saibari seals it as Morocco book last-four place
Morocco’s control was finally converted into a decisive second goal in the 74th minute.
Midfielder Ismael Saibari finished calmly to double the lead, capping a polished team performance and effectively ending Cameroon’s resistance. The goal underlined Morocco’s depth and balance, showing that their threat extends well beyond their headline attackers.
From there, the hosts managed the closing stages with composure, conserving energy and preserving a clean sheet.
Penalty appeals dismissed as referee comes under scrutiny
Despite Morocco’s dominance, controversy was never far away.
Cameroon’s players and bench were incensed when Bryan Mbeumo went down in the penalty area under challenge, only for appeals to be waved away. The decision sparked angry protests and amplified frustrations for a side already struggling to impose itself.
As the match progressed, several marginal decisions appeared to go Morocco’s way, intensifying Cameroonian grievances and ensuring that the referee remained a central figure in the narrative.
Late referee switch heightens pre-match tension
The scrutiny was sharpened by developments earlier in the day.
The Confederation of African Football made a late change to the officiating team, replacing the originally appointed referee with experienced Mauritanian official Dahane Beida following a complaint by the Moroccan Football Federation over delays in confirming match officials.
While the change was procedural, it ensured that refereeing decisions would be closely examined from the outset — a context that fed directly into the reaction to key moments during the match.
Morocco march on as Cameroon exit in frustration
In footballing terms, Morocco were deserved winners: organised, disciplined, and clinical. Cameroon, by contrast, exited the tournament having failed to register a single shot on target, their challenge dissolving amid frustration and disputed moments.
For Morocco, attention now turns to a heavyweight semi-final, buoyed by home support, momentum, and the growing sense that this tournament is aligning in their favour — even as debate continues to swirl around the margins.
