Morocco Triumphs Over Cameroon, Advances to Africa Cup Semis

Morocco has secured a place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, marking their first advancement to this stage in 22 years. The team achieved this milestone with a decisive 2-0 victory against Cameroon on January 10, 2024, in Rabat. This win not only boosts their chances of capturing their first title in half a century but also reinforces their status as one of the tournament favorites.

Moroccan coach Walid Regragui praised the performance as one of the best since the team’s remarkable run at the last World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. Initially, Morocco struggled in the tournament, failing to impress in their early matches, which left players feeling the pressure of expectations as the host nation.

In the quarter-final clash, Morocco displayed a renewed intensity and focus. They aggressively pressed Cameroon, dominating possession and limiting their opponents to only a few scoring opportunities. “The first half was probably the best we’ve played since the World Cup,” Regragui noted. The opening goal came from a set piece, with Ayoub El Kaabi’s header deflected into the net off Brahim Diaz. A second goal followed in the 74th minute, scored by Ismael Saibari, sealing the win.

The final whistle ignited jubilant celebrations among the Moroccan squad, reflecting their relief after weeks of mounting pressure since the tournament began. Morocco has heavily invested in this Cup of Nations to showcase their capabilities ahead of their co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain. Despite being the top-ranked team in Africa for the past four years, Morocco has only won the Africa Cup of Nations once, back in 1976.

Regragui has consistently acknowledged the team’s historical struggles in the tournament. He urged players and supporters to remain humble and manage expectations, emphasizing the importance of taking things one game at a time. “We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet,” he stated after the quarter-final victory.

As Morocco looks forward to the semi-finals, they will await the outcome of the match between Algeria and Nigeria on January 11, which will determine their next opponent.