RABAT, Morocco (AP) \u2014 Brahim D\u00edaz 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.<\/p>\n
D\u00edaz extended his Moroccan record by scoring in a fifth straight game at the tournament when he ushered in with his groin Ayoub El Kaabi\u2019s header from a corner in the 27th minute. D\u00edaz ran to the corner and shrugged as if to say he didn\u2019t know how he scored again.<\/p>\n
Ismael Saibari sealed the win in the 74th with a low shot inside the far post after a corner, just minutes after Cameroon substitute Georges-K\u00e9vin Nkoudou went close at the other end.<\/p>\n
That proved to be five-time champion Cameroon\u2019s only real chance as the Indomitable Lions<\/a> succumbed to the Atlas Lions for the first time in five meetings at an Africa Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a perfect match because in the second half we allowed Cameroon to gain confidence again,\u201d Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. \u201cWe spent a lot of energy in the first half, we were all over the field. But in the second half we fell back, so there are things that can be improved. At the end of the day we\u2019re in the semifinals.\u201d<\/p>\n Morocco next plays Nigeria<\/a> or Algeria on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Cameroon players danced their way to the locker room before the game but when they took to the field they were greeted by deafening whistles at the near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.<\/p>\n Morocco will have the fans\u2019 support there in the semifinals, also, and the final on Jan. 18 should it progress.<\/p>\n The Atlas Lions might have won by more but for Cameroon captain Nouhou Tolo\u2019s spectacular clearance early on and Samuel Kotto\u2019s goal-line clearance in the second half. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli fired just wide and El Kaabi hit the side netting in the first half, then Ezzalzouli headed over in the second.<\/p>\n The tireless D\u00edaz went off to ovations in the final minute. He\u2019ll have an extra day\u2019s rest over the team\u2019s next opponents.<\/p>\n Teranga Lions also progress<\/p>\n Iliman Ndiaye\u2019s first-half strike was enough for Senegal to beat 10-man Mali 1-0 in the first quarterfinal.<\/p>\n Ndiaye poked the ball home from close range in the 27th minute after Mali \u2018keeper Djigui Diarra let Kr\u00e9pin Diatta\u2019s cross slip through his fingers to land at Ndiaye\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n The winter rain which has soaked the tournament started to fall early at Grand Stade de Tanger and it would not have helped Diarra\u2019s grip on the ball.<\/p>\n Mali captain Yves Bissouma was already booked for a foul on Sadio Man\u00e9 as his team made a courageous start, and the Eagles\u2019 hopes took a major blow when he was shown a second yellow card before the break for a foul on Idrissa Gueye.<\/p>\n Referee Abongile Tom had already sent off Woyo Coulibaly in Mali\u2019s previous game, a penalty shootout win over Tunisia<\/a>, and Bissouma\u2019s sending off represented the team\u2019s third sending off in as many games.<\/p>\n Abdoulaye Diaby had Mali\u2019s best chance before the hour mark but his shot was too close to Senegal keeper \u00c9douard Mendy. <\/p>\n Otherwise all the chances were at the other end; Diarra saved from Lamine Camara and Man\u00e9 in stoppage time.<\/p>\n The 2021 champion stays in Tangier where it awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the first semifinal on Wednesday.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n