Brahim Díaz fires Morocco into the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals where Cameroon awaits

By Canadian Press on January 4, 2026.

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Brahim Díaz kept Morocco on course for the Africa Cup of Nations title by firing the team into the quarterfinals before Cameroon eliminated South Africa for a showdown with the host nation.

Morocco went through with a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Sunday and Cameroon held on to beat South Africa 2-1. They meet in the next round on Friday.

Díaz, who has quickly emerged as Morocco’s star player, broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. He beat Hussein Masalanga at his near post when the Taifa Stars’ goalkeeper probably expected a cross.

It was Díaz’s fourth goal in four games and it set off celebrations of relief around Rabat’s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home team will play all its games as long as it keeps winning through to the final on Jan. 18.

The Atlas Lions had dominated possession but were largely frustrated by Tanzania’s disciplined and committed defense.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi made his first start of the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury and played the whole game.

Indomitable Lions progress

South Africa was left to rue a host of missed chances early on when Cameroon’s defenders looked as though they were playing together for the first time.

The Bafana Bafana had two extra days to prepare for the game, while Cameroon’s last group game was Wednesday.

An injury to Cameroon’s Darlin Yongwa allowed both teams to re-adjust before play resumed. Yongwa was replaced by Aboubakar Nagida in the 21st.

Cameroon improved, supported by most fans in the cozy 18,000-capacity Stade Al Barid.

There was a huge roar when TV cameras picked up Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon forward who’s now president of the country’s soccer federation, while boos rang out whenever South Africa coach Hugo Broos was shown on the big screen, apparently for his comments about the lack of an “AFCON vibe” in Morocco. The Belgian’s mood won’t have been helped by the heavy rainfall at the tournament.

Junior Tchamadeu got the opener when he side-footed the ball inside the far post in the 34th after he was left free when South African defenders failed to clear Cameroon’s first corner.

The Indomitable Lions emerged with more bite after the break, with Aboubakar Nagida crossing for Christian Kofane to head the second goal in the 47th.

Kofane missed a good chance to seal the win before Evidence Makgopa pulled one back for a frenetic finale.

Senegal and Mali booked their places in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press