Host nation Morocco have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but they were made to sweat by a resilient Tanzania side in a tense 1-0 victory in Rabat.
Díaz Delivers Decisive Moment for Nervy Hosts
The match was settled by a moment of individual brilliance from Brahim Díaz in the 64th minute. The Real Madrid winger, receiving a pass from captain Achraf Hakimi on the right flank, drove towards the byline before firing a fierce shot from an acute angle that beat the goalkeeper at his near post. It was his fourth goal of the tournament, making him the current top scorer.
Despite dominating possession, Walid Regragui's side produced a performance fraught with anxiety. They spurned several good chances, with Ayoub El Kaabi notably missing two opportunities, and saw an Ismael Saibari header correctly ruled out for offside.
Tanzania's Missed Chances Prove Costly
Tanzania, who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams without winning a group game, will rue a series of wasted opportunities that could have caused a monumental upset.
Simon Msuva failed to hit the target with a free header in front of an open goal early on. Their best chance fell to Feisal Salum in the 55th minute after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou parried a long-range effort, but he blazed the rebound over the bar from close range with the goal gaping.
Morocco also had a let-off when Hakimi's powerful free-kick rattled the woodwork shortly before Díaz's winner, emphasising the fine margins of the knockout clash.
Quarter-Final Awaits Against South Africa or Cameroon
The narrow win sets up a last-eight showdown for Morocco against the winners of Sunday's tie between South Africa and Cameroon. Speaking after the match, match-winner Brahim Díaz acknowledged the challenge. "The competition is hotting up and we faced our toughest opponent in this Tanzania team," he said. "Not everything worked, we know that, but fortunately we managed to secure our qualification."
The result keeps Morocco's campaign to win the Afcon on home soil alive, though they will need a significant improvement in performance to progress further. For Tanzania, their historic run to the knockout stages ends, but not without a display of great courage that pushed the tournament favourites to the limit.
