Morocco are through to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final after beating Cameroon on Friday. Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock midway through the first half with his fifth goal of the tournament before Ismael Saibari put the game to bed 15 minutes from time. As a result, a first semi-final since 2004 beckons for Morocco and the one-time AFCON winners can look forward showdown against either Algeria or Nigeria.
For Cameroon, a disappointing evening was compounded by the loss of defender Junior Tchamadeu after he was reduced to tears upon being stretchered with a potentially serious knee injury. The story of the quarter-final in Rabat centred around two set-pieces.
In the first half Diaz reacted quickest to Ayoub El Kaabi’s near post flick-on from a Achraf Hakimi corner to turn the ball home from close range and Cameroon then paid the ultimate price for giving a way a cheap free-kick late in the second half as Saibari fired an effort into the bottom corner to confirm Morocco’s place in the last-four. Follow Cameroon vs Morocco back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog!
Cameroon vs Morocco highlights
- GOAL! Saibari doubles Morocco's lead
- GOAL! Brahim Diaz puts Morocco ahead
FULL-TIME!
20:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCameroon 0-2 Morocco
Morocco are through to the semi-final thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Credit to Cameroon, they are trying to find a goal in this five minutes of stoppage time, but this Morocco defence is rock solid.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: A standing ovation for Brahim Diaz as he is replaced by Igamane.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Mbeumo finds space for a shot but sees the door slammed in his face. Small appeals for handball which come to nothing and Morocco clear their lines.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Wise decision from Morocco to take of Saibari. A yellow card would have ruled him out of a semi-final.
He makes way for Rahimi.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: Celebratory mood inside the stadium, Morocco fans clearly think this quarter-final tie is done and dusted. A Cameroon goal would surely set up a grandstand finish.
Onana latches on to a long ball but has little support and his knock down is gathered in by Bounou.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Masina leads with his forearm and catches Etta Eyong, but Morocco are awarded a free-kick. Not sure how the referee has come to that decision, and it’s understandable as to why the Cameroon bench were complaining.
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
20:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Cameroon have made a double change with Baleba and Namaso making way for Onana and Magri.
GOAL! Cameroon 0-2 Morocco | Ismael Saibari ‘75
20:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: MOROCCO DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!
Cameroon pay the ultimate price for giving a way a cheap free-kick as the ball falls to Ismael Saibari at the back post, he takes one touch to set himself before firing an effort into the bottom corner.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne72 min: CHANCE! Mbeumo’s corner goes all the way to the back post and Nkoudou, on the stretch, puts his header wide. Best opportunity Cameroon have had all evening.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Much better this from Cameroon, they are starting to take more risks as Nkoudou wins a corner but Namaso floats the ball right into the arms of Bounou.
That’s another wasted set-piece.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Mbeumo goes to ground holding his knee, looked like the forward’s momentum took him into Masina rather than the other way around. Penalty claim is waved away.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Cameroon players are incensed. They are certain they should have a throw-in but the officials have other ideas.
Here comes a double Morocco change as El Kaabi and El Khannouss make way for En-Nesyri and Amrabat.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Far too many Cameroon set-pieces this evening have come to nothing. That frustration is doubled given they conceded from one in the first half.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: CLOSE! Kotto with a goal-line clearance to keep Cameroon in this quarter-final tie. The ball had hit Malone but Kotto kept his concentration.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: First involvement for Nkoudou is to give the ball away, he does make amends by chasing back to concede a corner from which Ezzalzouli heads just over after meeting Hakimi’s cross.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: The sub has been subbed! Ebimbe, who came on for Tchamadeu in the first half, is now replaced by Nkoudou.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Change being prepared by Cameroon as Nkoudou is waiting in the wings.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Such is the noise inside the stadium, can just about hear the referee’s whistle.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Aguerd turns the ball over for Morocco with a really poor pass from deep. The defender is lucky his mistake is not punished as Cameroon fail to take advantage.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: The yellow card is brandished again as El Khannouss catches Avom with a high boot.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: David Pagou is upset with the referee after believing Hakimi had committed a foul right near the touchline.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: No changes for either side at the break but Cameroon have an early chance to threaten from a free-kick, though Morocco deal with the set-piece.
KICK-OFF!
20:07 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in Rabat!
A huge second half for Cameroon, they have it all to do to reach the semi-final.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
20:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNothing went for Cameroon in that first half. They trail by one and suffered a massive injury blow when Junior Tchamadeu was stretchered off.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrahim Diaz has been unstoppable during AFCON 2025.
Who else could it be? Diaz puts Morocco in the lead! 🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/Sb5wzujQIr
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026
HALF-TIME
19:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCameroon 0-1 Morocco
Brahim Diaz with his fifth goal of the tournament separates the two nations at the break.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+4 min: Mbeumo does well against his Man Utd team-mate Mazraoui and plays a nice reverse pass down the line for Namaso whose cross is cleared.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Five minutes of added time. Cameroon have a free-kick, can they shock the host nation?
Mbeumo swings the ball in but his delivery is poor and Hakimi steers the ball to safety.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Kofane is left on the deck after being caught by Aguerd’s elbow. Cameroon physio is complaining to the referee but the Morocco defender escapes a booking.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: Unsurprisingly, the tempo of Morocco has dropped slightly and Cameroon have the chance to strike while the iron is hot. Need to get Mbeumo in the game though.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne39 min: Ezzalzoul cuts in and shifts the ball onto his right before striking at goal. His effort hits the side-netting but Epassy had that covered.
Morocco regain possession and attempt to break but Tolo brings down Diaz and his booked.
If Cameroon do reach the semi-final, he will be banned.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: The Cameroon and Morocco benches have a brief clash on the sidelines. Tempers threatening to boil over with ten minutes until the break.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Morocco are all over Cameroon at the moment, playing at a really high tempo. You do wonder how long they will be able to keep this up, or if they can score again during this period.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: It was a well worked Morocco goal as El Kaabi won the flick on and Diaz was rewarded for gambling inside the box and he had a simple tap-in.
Five goals at AFCON 2025 for Diaz now.
Cameroon 0-1 Morocco
19:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Cameroon seek an immediate response from a free-kick, bit of head tennis in the box but Morocco clear their lines and try to hit their opponents on the counter.
GOAL! Cameroon 0-1 Morocco | Brahim Diaz ‘27
19:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: MOROCCO LEAD!
Pressure continues to build on the Cameroon defence and Tolo is forced to make another clearance.
From the corner, Morocco's pressure pays off, Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi both wheel away to celebrate but it's the Real Madrid forward's goal.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: End of the game for Tchamadeu, and possibly the end of his tournament regardless of this evening’s result.
Such a shame and the defender is in tears as he’s taken off on a stretcher.
He is replaced by Ebimbe.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne21 min: Tolo is upset at conceding a free-kick for a foul on Diaz. Replay do back up the Cameroon captain as there was barely any contact. Luckily the free-kick does not result in a goal.
However, another Cameroon player is down. It’s Tchamadeu and the stretcher has been brought out.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Bounou wanders out of his goal and is forced to conceded a throw after being put under pressure by Mbeumo. Cameroon fail to make the most of the set-piece and here come Morocco building another attack.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Cameroon players surround the referee, demanding action is taken against Diaz for a high boot on Avom. Their appeals fall on deaf ears, and rightly so.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Great early cross into the Cameroon box and Kotto takes the ball off El Kaabi’s head. Vital touch that and the subsequent corner is headed behind for another corner which Cameroon deal with superbly.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: Concern for Cameroon here as Tchamadeu tackles Mazraoui but his outstretched leg is landed on by the Morocco defender.
This does not look good as Tchamadeu has his shirt over his face.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Hakimi attempts to slip Diaz in with a pass but the tournament’s top goalscorer was not on the same wavelength. Nice idea, poor execution.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: Morocco applying pressure now, first Tolo makes a fine clearance from literally underneath his own crossbar before Avom is shown a yellow card for bringing down Hakimi.
Free-kick in a dangerous position for Morocco and the captain is standing over the ball...
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Hakimi tries to catch out the Cameroon defence with a cheeky low corner, he gets a second attempt and the delivery is better but it’s cleared once again.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Diaz goes to ground inside the box but the foul from Namaso started outside the area and Morocco are awarded a free-kick which is dealt with by Kofane for a corner to the host nation.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Neither side able to get the ball down and play. It’s been more of a battle so far with both teams feeling each other out.
Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Incredible noise from the Morocco fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and there’s an early appeal for a penalty.
Cameroon will have their work cut out to silence this crowd.
KICK-OFF!
19:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
We are about to find out who will join Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
National anthems
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAs is the tradition, it’s time for the national anthem for Cameroon and Morocco.
HERE WE GO!
18:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco route
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust the one goal conceded in four matches for the host nation so far at AFCON 2025.
That record is, surely, under threat this evening?
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Morocco 1-1 Mali
Zambia 0-3 Morocco
Morocco 1-0 Tanzania
Kick-off approaching in Rabat
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Cameroon route
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSeven points in the group stage and a come-from-behind win over South Africa in the round of 16.
Cameroon have improved with each passing game at AFCON 2025, but will this evening be a step too far?
Cameroon 1-0 Gabon
Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon
Mozambique 1-2 Cameroon
South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
AFCON result
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe have out first AFCON 2025 semi-finalists after Senegal beat Mali 1-0 in today’s early kick-off.
Who will be joining Senegal in the last-four?
Team news reminder
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up today.
Cameroon XI: Epassy; Malone, Kotto, Tolo; Tchamadeu, Namaso, Baleba, Avom, Nagida; Mbeumo, Kofane.
Substitutes: Omossola, Wooh, Nyamsi, Nkoudou, Onana, Magri, Bassogog, Soko, Yongwa, Kamdem, Kemen, Boyomo, Ngapandouetnbu, Ebimbe, Etta Eyong.
Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, Al Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi.
Substitutes: Mohamedi, Al Harrar, Amrabat, Igamane, Rahimi, Ben Seghir, Targhalline, Chibi, Akhomach, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Talbi, Salah-Eddine, Ait Boudlal, Belammari.
Morocco changes
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMorocco are unchanged from their round of 16 win over Tanzania.
Ayoub El Kaabi gets the nod over Youssef En-Nesyri up front.
Cameroon changes
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust the one change for Cameroon from the side that started the round of 16 win over South Africa as Aboubakar Nagida replaces Darlin Yongwa at left-wing back.
Carlos Baleba is fit to start and Bryan Mbeumo keeps his place in attack.
Morocco team in full
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMorocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, Al Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi.
Substitutes: Mohamedi, Al Harrar, Amrabat, Igamane, Rahimi, Ben Seghir, Targhalline, Chibi, Akhomach, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Talbi, Salah-Eddine, Ait Boudlal, Belammari.
Cameroon team in full
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCameroon XI: Epassy; Malone, Kotto, Tolo; Tchamadeu, Namaso, Baleba, Avom, Nagida; Mbeumo, Kofane.
Substitutes: Omossola, Wooh, Nyamsi, Nkoudou, Onana, Magri, Bassogog, Soko, Yongwa, Kamdem, Kemen, Boyomo, Ngapandouetnbu, Ebimbe, Etta Eyong.
CONFIRMED MOROCCO TEAM NEWS
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd lining up for the host nation...
التشكيلة الرسمية لـ منتخبنا الوطني أمام منتخب الكاميرون
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) January 9, 2026
🚨Tonight’s 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙓𝙄 against Cameroon#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/I5hh0C9Hqf
CONFIRMED CAMEROON TEAM NEWS
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Cameroon team to face Morocco...
⚽️🔥 #MATCHDAY
— Les Lions Indomptables Officiel (@LIndomptables) January 9, 2026
Voici les #LionsIndomptables qui commencent le match !!!#CAMEROUN 🇨🇲 🆚 🇲🇦 #MAROC
📅 9/01/2026
⏰ 20H00
🏟️ Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
📍 Rabat - Maroc
We are Lions. We CAN !!!🦁💚❤️💛#CANTOTALENERGIES2025 | #QUARTERFINAL | #CMRMAR | #WEARELIONSWECAN | pic.twitter.com/uUtBOnl5TB
Cameroon vs Morocco live - team news imminent
17:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
Mbeumo is ready
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWill Bryan Mbeumo open his account at AFCON 2025 this evening? The Manchester United forward has an assist to his name, but is yet to score in four appearances.
Arrival
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Morocco squad have arrived on Rabat to take in the scenery ahead of this evening’s quarter-final tie against Cameroon.
Delayed celebrations?
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWill it be a happy, belated, birthday for the Cameroon star?
🇨🇲 | Time for celebration| 🎂#IndomitableLions' midfielder Jean Onana turned 2️⃣6️⃣ today.
— Les Lions Indomptables Officiel (@LIndomptables) January 8, 2026
Happy birthday #Lion🦁💚❤️💛🎂🍾 pic.twitter.com/fD9cMg565y
The stage is set
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA heavyweight contest is in store this evening.
A Lions' encounter. 🇨🇲🇲🇦
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026
Cameroon and Morocco battle it out at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025. Who moves on? pic.twitter.com/861nnBEI8M
Pagou: 'Morocco are the natural favourites'
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCameroon boss David Pagou has said Morocco are favourites to reach the AFCON semi-final.
Though insists his side are more than capable of springing a surprise.
"Morocco are the natural favourites," Pagou said.
"They were World Cup semi-finalists. It will be a very difficult match against a very good team. We will try to challenge them.
"What characterises Cameroonians is their courage, even when there's a mountain to overcome. It's the mental strength that makes the difference.
"It's a quarter-final against the host country, which has very strong individual players and a high-performing team. Morocco haven't lost at home for a very long time. That is an extra motivation. It will be a mental battle."
Behind the scenes
17:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA sneak peak into the Cameroon and Morocco dressing rooms ahead of kick-off!
The dressing rooms of Cameroon and Morocco are ready for the players’ arrival. 🇨🇲🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/qnMMYIbXWP
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026
Predicted Morocco XI
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe big question for Morocco is who leads the line, Ayoub El Kaabi or Youssef En-Nesyri?
Predicted Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, Al Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi
Predicted Cameroon XI
17:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDavid Pagou could stick with the same team that started the round of 16 win over South Africa, but doubts over Darlin Yongwa means Mahamadou Nagida may get the call.
Predicted Cameroon XI: Epassy; Kotto, Tolo, Malone; Nagida, Namaso, Baleba, Ebong, Tchamadeu; Mbeumo, Kofane
Latest score
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe first quarter-final tie is taking place and it's been an eventful opening 45 minutes.
Senegal lead against Mali thanks to Iliman Ndiaye's strike but Yves Bissouma has been sent off for Mail, leaving them with a huge mountain to climb.
Today's settings
17:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe stakes are high in Rabat this evening.
Cameroon vs Morocco latest match odds
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCameroon to qualify: 19/5
Morocco to qualify: 1/7
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCameroon did not lose any of the first 11 meetings against Morocco but have since lost the last two.
Cameroon wins: 7
Morocco wins: 2
Draws: 4
Score prediction
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is a tough one to call, and a clash that could go the full 12 rounds.
Achraf Hakimi being back for Morocco is huge, and it seems as though Cameroon have finally clicked into gear after some unconvincing performances in their opening games.
The hosts themselves have not been at their free-flowing best either, but momentum has started to build as we approach the latter stages of the tournament.
Home advantage could also be key here.
Morocco to win, 2-1 after extra time.
Morocco team news
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAzzedine Ounahi is out for the remainder of the tournament with a muscle injury, while Achraf Hakimi has returned to full fitness after almost two months on the sidelines.
Cameroon team news
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDavid Pagou has the one Cameroon injury worry - Darlin Yongwa - who was withdrawn in the first half against South Africa.
Otherwise, he has a full complement to pick from, with the likes of Carlos Baleba and Bryan Mbeumo expected to start.
How to watch
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Channel 4’s network. Coverage begins at 6.30pm GMT on E4 ahead of kick-off at 7pm.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via All 4.
Live coverage: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Cameroon vs Morocco live
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Cameroon vs Morocco.
It's the quarter-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning the stakes are incredibly high.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 7pm GMT from the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Stick with us!
