REAL MADRID forward Brahim Diaz maintained his goal-a-game record at the Africa Cup of Nations by scoring to take Morocco into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat on Sunday.
Diaz scored once in each of three group matches, and his 64th-minute strike against the Tanzanians created history as he became the first Moroccan to find the net in four consecutive AFCON matches.
The goal came after Morocco squandered numerous scoring chances while stretching an unbeaten run in competitive and friendly matches to 23. Their last loss was to South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.
Morocco were favourites for several reasons, including home advantage, the backing of close to 70,000 supporters, and lying 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings.
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But their breakthrough didn’t come until the 64th minute. Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi — making his first start in the tournament as he recovers from two months out with a serious ankle injury — set up Diaz, who beat goalkeeper Hussein Masaranga at his near post with an angled shot from close range.
The hosts’ hopes of winning the tournament outright have been dealt a blow with the news that playmaker Azzedine Ounahi will miss the remainder of the tournament with a calf injury.
Morocco will face Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Friday, after the Indomitable Lions ran out 2-1 winners against South Africa in Sunday’s second clash.
Goals either side of half-time by Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane steered the five-time champions through to next week’s heavyweight showdown.
Tchamadeu opened the scoring in the 34th minute at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat and teenage Bayer Leverkusen forward Kofane headed in the crucial second goal two minutes after half-time, before a late rally from South Africa saw Evidence Makgopa pull one back.
For Cameroon, reaching the last eight means their AFCON is already a success after a chaotic build-up in which football federation president and Indomitable Lions legend Samuel Eto’o sacked coach Marc Brys, replacing him with David Pagou.
They can go into their meeting with Morocco in a relaxed mood, knowing all the pressure is on the hosts as they look to win a first AFCON title in 50 years in front of their home support.
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Real Madrid star makes history as hosts Morocco set up heavyweight AFCON quarter-final
LAST UPDATE | 4 Jan
Africa Cup of Nations Last 16
Morocco 1 Tanzania 0
South Africa 1 Cameroon 2
REAL MADRID forward Brahim Diaz maintained his goal-a-game record at the Africa Cup of Nations by scoring to take Morocco into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat on Sunday.
Diaz scored once in each of three group matches, and his 64th-minute strike against the Tanzanians created history as he became the first Moroccan to find the net in four consecutive AFCON matches.
The goal came after Morocco squandered numerous scoring chances while stretching an unbeaten run in competitive and friendly matches to 23. Their last loss was to South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.
Morocco were favourites for several reasons, including home advantage, the backing of close to 70,000 supporters, and lying 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings.
But their breakthrough didn’t come until the 64th minute. Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi — making his first start in the tournament as he recovers from two months out with a serious ankle injury — set up Diaz, who beat goalkeeper Hussein Masaranga at his near post with an angled shot from close range.
The hosts’ hopes of winning the tournament outright have been dealt a blow with the news that playmaker Azzedine Ounahi will miss the remainder of the tournament with a calf injury.
Morocco will face Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Friday, after the Indomitable Lions ran out 2-1 winners against South Africa in Sunday’s second clash.
Goals either side of half-time by Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane steered the five-time champions through to next week’s heavyweight showdown.
Tchamadeu opened the scoring in the 34th minute at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat and teenage Bayer Leverkusen forward Kofane headed in the crucial second goal two minutes after half-time, before a late rally from South Africa saw Evidence Makgopa pull one back.
For Cameroon, reaching the last eight means their AFCON is already a success after a chaotic build-up in which football federation president and Indomitable Lions legend Samuel Eto’o sacked coach Marc Brys, replacing him with David Pagou.
They can go into their meeting with Morocco in a relaxed mood, knowing all the pressure is on the hosts as they look to win a first AFCON title in 50 years in front of their home support.
– © AFP 2026
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AFCON Quarter finals Soccer Morocco Real Madrid Tanzania Winning