AFCON 2025: Morocco defeat Tanzania 1-0 and book their place in the quarterfinals
Host nation of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco continue their run with authority. The Atlas Lions secured their qualification for the quarterfinals by defeating Tanzania 1-0 on Sunday, January 4, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, at the end of a tense and hard fought round of 16 clash.
The match was played in the presence of high ranking personalities in the official stands, notably Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, accompanied by his sister Princess Lalla Khadija and their mother Princess Lalla Salma, adding a symbolic and solemn dimension to this decisive fixture for the national team.
Long held by a well organized and disciplined Tanzanian side, Walid Regragui’s men eventually made the difference in the second half. Despite the notable absence of Azzedine Ounahi, who was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury in training, the Atlas Lions maintained pressure until they found the breakthrough.
The decisive moment came in the 64th minute, thanks to Brahim Diaz, the Real Madrid attacking midfielder, whose goal lifted the stadium and confirmed Morocco’s dominance in play.
With this victory, Morocco become the third nation to qualify for the quarterfinals, after Senegal and Mali, who respectively defeated Sudan and Tunisia in the previous knockout matches.
In the quarterfinals, the Atlas Lions will face the winner of the clash between Cameroon and South Africa, scheduled later in the evening at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
The competition will continue on Monday with two highly anticipated fixtures. Egypt will take on Benin at the Grand Stade of Agadir at 16:00 GMT, while Nigeria will face Mozambique in the evening at 19:00 GMT at the Grand Stade of Fes.
The round of 16 will conclude on Tuesday with two top level encounters. Algeria will face DR Congo at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat at 16:00 GMT, followed by Ivory Coast against Burkina Faso at the Grand Stade of Marrakech.
The quarterfinals will be played on January 9 and 10, while the final of this AFCON 2025 is scheduled for January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
