AFCON 2025 (Quarter-finals):
- Cameroon 0-1 Morocco – Half time
Morocco takes command of the second quarter final duel in the 2025 AFCON tournament with a 1-0 half time lead over Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellaziz Stadium in Rabat.
Brahim Abdellakader Diaz scored the all important goal of the opening stanza before thousands of chanting spectators inside the stands.
The Real Madrid star player scored in the 26th minute with a header off Ayoub El Kaabi’s assist after an inviting corner kick by skipper Achraf Hakimi.
Right from the onset of play, Morocco has been the better side, creating the most of the goal scoring opponents.
Diaz got down at the edge of the goal area following a foul by Aboubakar Nagida on five minutes before the hosts won two quick corner kicks in succession.
Cameroon’s left back Arthur Avom Loader picked up a caution after fouling Morocco captain Hakimi on 9 minutes.
Morocco maintained the pressure wit h another a free-kick on the goal edge after Cameroon skipper Tolo fouled Diaz in the 18th minute.
Cameroon had a forced change when Junior Baptiste Tchamadu was stretchered off for Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe on 23 minutes.
The break-through moment for the game arrived in the 26th minute when Diaz’s header beat goalkeeper Devis Rogers Epassy Mboka fter a knock in by forward El Kaabi following Hakimi’s inviting corner kick
This was Diaz’s fifth goal of the competition having scored in the fifth successive game at this championship.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli recorded a shot off target from the left flank on 37 minutes.
Cameroon captain Tolo Nouhou received a booking in the 39th minute for a late tackle onto Diaz.
El Kaabi hit the side netting in another attack from the left after being set up by Ezzalzouli in the closing moments of the first half.
The second half will return shortly as both teams deploy different strategies. Cameroon seeking for a possible equalizer and potential winner whilst the host country looks for a killer punch.
Team Line Ups
Cameroon XI: Devis Rogers Epassy Mboka (G.K), Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu, Junior Che Malone, Tolo Nouhou (Captain), Bryan Marceau Mbeumo Tetsadong, Daniel Namaso Loader, Arthur Avom Ebong, Samuel Junior Kotto, Aboubakar Nagida Mahamaou, Carlos Baleba Noom Quomah, Christian Michel Kofane
Subs: Simon Loti Omossola Medjo (G.K), Simon Brady Ngapandouetnbu (G.K), Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe, Arnold Mael Kamdem, Christopher Wooh, Gerzino Nyamisi Kemtchou, Georges Kevin Nkoudou Mbida, Jean Emile Junior Onana Onana, Franck Mario Magri, Christian Mougang Bassogog, Serge Patrick Njoh Soko, Darlin Zidane Yongwa Ngameni, Michel Kemen Olivier, Karl Edouard Blaise Etta Eyong, Enzo Thiedort Boyomo Flavien
Head coach: David Pagou (Cameroon)
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou (G.K), Achraf Hakimi (Captain), Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, Ismael Saibari, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Adam Masina
Subs: Elmedhi Al Harrar (G.K), Monir El Kajoui (G.K), Sofyan Amrabat, Hamza Igamane, Soufiane Rahimi, Ben Seghir Eliesse, Oussama Targhalline, Mohamed Chibi, Ilias Akhomach,, Jawad El Yamiq, Youssef En Nesyri, Chemsdine Talbi, Anass Salah Eddine, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Youssef Belammari
Head coach: Hoalid Regregui (Morocco)
Match officials:
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)
Assistant Referee 1: Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos (Angola)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Meirelles De O. Sanche Lopes (Angola)
Fourth official: Mahmood Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
Commissioner: Massa Diarra (Mauritania)
General Coordinator: Khaled Lemkecher (Tunisia)
VAR: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
AVAR: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
AVAR 1: Babacar Sarr (Mauritania)