Morocco beats Cameroon 2-0 to reach AFCON semi-finals
Morocco secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat on Friday, January 9, 2026. The match at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium drew over 64,000 fans. Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz scored his fifth goal in five tournament matches, converting a rebound from Ayoub El Kaabi's 26th-minute header. Ismael Saibari sealed the win with a 74th-minute strike after controlling Abde Ezzalzouli's delivery. Morocco, Africa's top-ranked team, now faces the winner of Saturday's Algeria-Nigeria clash in Wednesday's semi-final. This marks their first semi-final appearance since losing the 2004 final to Tunisia. The hosts are chasing their first continental title in 50 years under immense home pressure. Cameroon struggled despite their five championship wins, with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo unable to make an impact. The Indomitable Lions lost right wing-back Jackson Tchamadeu early to injury, which contributed to their defensive vulnerabilities. Morocco remains unbeaten since their 2024 AFCON defeat by South Africa, maintaining their strong form from the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Will Morocco finally deliver their long-awaited AFCON title on home soil, or will the weight of 50 years of expectation prove too much in the semis?