Díaz scores in fifth straight game as Morocco joins Senegal in Africa Cup semifinals

By Canadian Press on January 9, 2026.

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Brahim Díaz scored again and host Morocco joined Senegal in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Cameroon on Friday.

Díaz extended his Moroccan record by scoring in a fifth straight game at the tournament when he broke the deadlock in the 27th minute by ushering in with his groin Ayoub El Kaabi’s header from a corner. Díaz ran to the corner and shrugged as if to say he didn’t know how he scored again.

Morocco substitute Ismael Saibari sealed the win in the 74th with a low shot inside the far post after a corner, just minutes after Georges-Kévin Nkoudou went close at the other end.

That proved to be five-time tournament winner Cameroon’s only real chance as the Indomitable Lions succumbed to their Atlas Lion counterparts for the first time in five meetings at an Africa Cup.

Morocco will play Nigeria or Algeria in the second semifinal on Wednesday.

Teranga Lions also progress

Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half strike was enough for Senegal to beat 10-man Mali 1-0 in the first quarterfinal.

Ndiaye poked the ball home from close range in the 27th minute after Mali ‘keeper Djigui Diarra let Krépin Diatta’s cross slip through his fingers to land at Ndiaye’s feet.

The winter rain which has soaked the tournament started to fall early at Grand Stade de Tanger and it would not have helped Diarra’s grip on the ball.

Mali captain Yves Bissouma was already booked for a foul on Sadio Mané as his team made a courageous start, and the Eagles’ hopes took a major blow when he was shown a second yellow card before the break for a foul on Idrissa Gueye.

Referee Abongile Tom had already sent off Woyo Coulibaly in Mali’s previous game, a penalty shootout win over Tunisia, and Bissouma’s sending off represented the team’s third sending off in as many games.

Abdoulaye Diaby had Mali’s best chance before the hour mark but his shot was too close to Senegal keeper Édouard Mendy.

Otherwise all the chances were at the other end; Diarra saved from Lamine Camara and Mané in stoppage time.

The 2021 champion awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the first semifinal, also in Tangier, on Wednesday.

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

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press