Morocco, Senegal March Into AFCON 2025 Semi-Finals

Morocco, Senegal March Into AFCON 2025 Semi-Finals

By Our Reporter 

Hosts Morocco and defending champions Senegal booked their places in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 on Friday night with impressive quarter-final victories over Cameroon and Mali respectively, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

At a sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco produced a commanding performance to defeat Cameroon 2–0, while Senegal edged a fiercely contested West African derby 1–0 against Mali in Tangier.

Diaz, Saibari Fire Morocco Past Cameroon

Morocco continued their strong home campaign with a confident 2–0 victory over Cameroon, ending a long-standing AFCON hoodoo against the Indomitable Lions and keeping alive their quest for a second continental title.

Brahim Díaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute, extending his remarkable tournament form. The Real Madrid forward reacted quickest to a flick-on from Ayoub El Kaabi, guiding the ball into the net from close range following an Achraf Hakimi corner. The goal made Díaz just the second player in AFCON history, after Ghana’s Osei Kofi, to score in five consecutive matches at a single tournament.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges, pressing aggressively and pinning Cameroon deep in their own half. Morocco could have doubled their lead before the break, but El Kaabi fired into the side netting after being released by Abde Ezzalzouli on the counter.

Cameroon showed more attacking intent after the interval, but struggled to break down a well-organised Moroccan defence. Their best chance fell to Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, whose diving header from a corner drifted wide.

Morocco sealed the win in the 74th minute when Ismail Saibari calmly finished from close range after Nayef Aguerd’s clever touch redirected an Ezzalzouli free-kick into his path. The goal sparked jubilant scenes in the stands as the Atlas Lions comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.

The victory marked Morocco’s first AFCON win over Cameroon and only their third in 13 meetings across all competitions. Walid Regragui’s side will face the winner of the quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria in the semi-finals.

Ndiaye Strike Sends Senegal into Last Four

Earlier in the day, Senegal secured a narrow 1–0 win over Mali at the Grand Stade de Tanger to advance to the semi-finals.

Iliman Ndiaye marked his first start of the tournament with the decisive goal in the 27th minute, capitalising on a handling error by Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra to score from close range.

The contest was tightly fought, with both sides battling for control in midfield and chances at a premium. Mali’s task became significantly more difficult just before half-time when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving his side to play the entire second half with ten men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mali defended resolutely and continued to threaten on the break, with Diarra making several key saves to keep the scoreline close. Senegal, however, managed the game with composure and tactical discipline, controlling possession and limiting Mali’s opportunities.

The 2021 champions held firm through the closing stages to secure their place in the last four, where they will face the winner of Saturday’s clash between record champions Egypt and holders Côte d’Ivoire.