Hosts Morocco are through to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tanzania in their round of 16 clash at Rabat on Sunday, Bold Sports reports.
The Atlas Lions were frustrated for most of the game by a resilient Tanzanian side, but eventually found a way through the Taifa Stars with Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz continuing his impressive form, getting the crucial winner in the second half.
Tanzania had made a brilliant start to the game and almost got an early goal when a cross was played slightly behind Simon Msuva who was free at the far post and just a few yards out with an open goal at his mercy, but the striker was unable to direct his header on target.
Tanzania continued to show promise in the early stages, pressing aggressively from the front as they hoped to disallow Morocco from playing their game. However, Regragui’s side found the lead in the 15th minute as a freekick was headed in by Ismael Saibari, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after confirmation from VAR.
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Morocco started to establish their dominance as the game wore on. In the 37th minute, Brahim Diaz had a chance to continue his remarkable goalscoring streak in the tournament, but his effort went over the bar. Despite being pressed back, Tanzania were able to defend resiliently, keeping the scoreline level at the end of the first half.
Morocco began the second half pushing for an opening goal and came close to getting one in the 52nd minute as Bilal El Khannouss’s shot from outside the box went just over the bar. Ayoub El Kaabi then had a chance few minutes later, but his header glanced wide.
Seconds later, Tanzania came close to shocking the hosts against the run of play, but Feisal Salum missed a huge chance, with his shot going over the bar. On the hour mark, captain Hakimi hit a brilliant freekick, but his effort rattled the woodwork, with the scores remaining level.
In the 63rd minute, Brahim Diaz finally broken the deadlock, showing his magic once again to wriggle his way free inside the box before hitting a powerful shot into the near post, making it 1-0. The goal made him the first Moroccan to score in four consecutive AFCON matches as well as the leading goalscorer in this year’s tournament.
Despite pushing for a late equaliser, Tanzania were unable to create any big opportunity, with Morocco holding on to their one-goal advantage to secure victory despite a late penalty shout.
The result means that the Taifa Stars’ AFCON journey has now ended while Morocco will face the winner of the round of 16 clash between South Africa and Cameroon in the quarterfinals on January 9.
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