Morocco have emphatically announced their arrival at their own Africa Cup of Nations tournament, sailing into the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in a feisty quarter-final clash in Rabat. After a stuttering start to the competition, the Atlas Lions delivered a performance reminiscent of their 2022 World Cup heroics, combining first-half verve with second-half maturity to overcome the Indomitable Lions.
A Tense Build-Up Gives Way to Dominance
The pressure on the hosts was palpable before kick-off. Having last won the tournament 50 years ago and after investing heavily in football infrastructure ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, expectations were immense. Coach Walid Regragui had even faced boos from sections of the home support during a nervy last-16 win over Tanzania. The contrasting pre-match scenes in the dressing rooms said it all: Morocco were pensive and focused, while their Cameroonian counterparts were singing and dancing.
However, any anxiety evaporated once the game began inside the magnificent, cacophonous Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Fuelled by a ferocious press and a relentless crowd, Morocco pinned Cameroon back from the outset, winning a succession of early set-pieces. The pressure told just before the half-hour mark. From Morocco's sixth corner of the game, Ayoub El Kaabi headed back across goal where Brahim Díaz was on hand to nudge in his fourth goal of the tournament.
Cameroon Overwhelmed as Morocco Seal the Deal
Cameroon, five-time champions but arriving after a chaotic build-up that included a dispute over the head coach, struggled to cope with Morocco's intensity. Their task was made harder by a genuine injury to right wing-back Junior Tchamadeu, which disrupted their defensive shape. While they attempted to break the game's flow, they created little of note against a disciplined Moroccan defence.
The hosts put the result beyond doubt with 16 minutes remaining, again from a set-piece. A free-kick was only partially cleared, dropping to Ismael Saibari at the back post, who slammed an angled shot into the net to spark wild celebrations. Morocco's control in the latter stages was comprehensive, holding a dangerous opponent at arm's length with impressive game management.
Regragui's Relief and the Road Ahead
The victory provides significant relief for coach Walid Regragui, whose position had come under scrutiny despite a stellar overall record. The decision to stick with the same 4-3-3 lineup from the Tanzania match, granting freedom to wide forwards Díaz and Ez Abde, paid dividends, with the team showing greater mobility and fluency.
The match was not without controversy, as the appointment of Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida was only confirmed late on after Moroccan officials protested the original choice. Cameroon were unhappy with several decisions, but the official was not the reason for their defeat.
For Morocco, this performance finally showcased their potential as champions. While questions about their goal threat may persist, this was a controlled, authoritative display far removed from their earlier shaky showings. They now advance to the semi-finals, looking increasingly like the tournament favourites the host nation desperately hopes they can become.
