Rabat – Morocco has booked its place in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tanzania 1-0 in the Round of 16.
The winning goal came from Brahim Diaz in a tense match where Morocco had to work hard to break down a well-disciplined opponent.
Diaz, playing in his first Africa Cup of Nations, reflected on Morocco’s 1-0 win over Tanzania in the Round of 16. “There are never easy games at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said after the match.
“Tanzania played well, so I congratulate them. It was a tough match. Since joining the national team, this is my first AFCON, and every game feels like a battle,” he added.
The 25-year-old also pointed to tactical changes after halftime: “The coach made adjustments in the second half, and I think they helped us a lot.”
On his own scoring run, Diaz kept the focus on the team: “Of course I’m happy to score in every match, but the most important thing is reaching the quarterfinals.”
With that goal, Diaz also became the first Moroccan player in history to score in four consecutive matches in the AFCON, surpassing Morocco legend Ahmed Feras
Now the next challenge will be against Cameroon, who advanced after beating South Africa. The quarterfinal match is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m local time in Moulay Abdelah Stadium in Rabat.
The match promises to be a high-stakes encounter between two teams with rich AFCON histories. Morocco, champions in 1976, are aiming to add a second continental title, while Cameroon, five-time winners, remain one of the most dangerous sides in African football.