Brahim Diaz scored for the fifth game in a row at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final clash on Friday to keep alive their hopes of a first continental title in 50 years, whiel Senegal also advance after beating Mali 1-0.
Ismael Saibari was also on target for Morocco in another workmanlike display in which they were efficient enough, but also created little in the way of chances, netting from two of their three shots on target.
Cameroon had a strong shout for a penalty in the second half after what looked like a foul on Bryan Mbeumo but they too battled in the final third and did not force home goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a save in the 90 minutes.
Morocco, who have yet to concede a goal in open play at the finals, face the winner of Saturday’s third quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria in the next round, a tie that will be played in Rabat on Wednesday.
The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute via the prolific Diaz as the Real Madrid player showed his scoring instinct. Achraf Hakimi’s corner was headed goalwards by Ayoub El Kaabi and Diaz deflected the ball in from close range.
He has now scored in each of Morocco’s five games and extends his own record for most goals by a Moroccan at a single Cup of Nations finals, but left the field late on with a heavily strapped thigh that will be a concern for coach Walid Regragui.
Morocco made it 2-0 to kill off the contest when Saibari was left unmarked at the back post and had time to control the ball and fire low into the far corner of the net.
Meanwhile, Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal as Senegal beat 10-man Mali 1-0 on Friday to book a semi-final berth at the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in the last four tournaments.
Ndiaye netted after 27 minutes, taking advantage of a goalkeeping howler to put Senegal ahead in a tense quarter-final against their west African neighbours.
Mali were reduced to 10 men for the second half after captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second caution on the stroke of halftime. He was booked first for a clumsy challenge in the 25th minute and was dismissed after a needless foul on Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Ndiaye started the move that led to his goal with a run down the right wing, passing to wing back Krepin Diatta who then squared into the penalty area.
Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra looked to have cut off the effort but the ball slipped from his grasp and squeezed under his body.
Ndiaye was quickest to snap up the loose ball and finished from close-in.
Diarra more than made up for his horror error, however, with a series of fine second-half stops to deny Senegal a bigger advantage as a gallant Mali battled away to get back into the contest.
