FOOTBALL – 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 yesterday to keep alive their hopes of a first continental title in 50 years.
Ismael Saibari was also on target in another workmanlike display in which Morocco 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 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 face the winners of today’s third quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria in the next round, a tie that will be played in Rabat on Wednesday.
Earlier, Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal as Senegal booked a semi-final berth for the third time in the last four tournaments, beating 10-man Mali 1-0 in the last eight.
Ndiaye netted after 27 minutes, taking advantage of a goalkeeping howler to put Senegal ahead in a tense derby 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.
Mali were down to 10 men from the 26th minute of their previous clash against Tunisia and still managed to squeeze through on penalties but there was no recovery this time around against a polished Senegalese outfit.
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