AFCON
Cameroon’s Host-Hoodoo Ends as Morocco’s Atlas Lions Roar into AFCON Semi-Finals
By Kunle Solaja.
Cameroon’s long-standing reputation as the nemesis of Africa Cup of Nations host nations came to an emphatic end on Friday night as Morocco’s national football team powered into the semi-finals with a commanding 2–0 victory over Cameroon’s national football team in Rabat.
Since 1984, Cameroon had beaten every AFCON host they encountered — with Egypt in 1986 the lone exception — earning a fearsome tag as the tournament’s ultimate party-poopers.
That aura dissolved inside a raucous, sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the Atlas Lions delivered a performance rich in authority, intensity and belief.
Goals in either half from Brahim Díaz and Ismail Saibari sealed a landmark triumph for the hosts, who had come into the quarter-final under scrutiny following an unconvincing Round of 16 win over Tanzania.
Driven on by a deafening home crowd, Morocco seized control from the opening whistle, pressing high and monopolising possession as Cameroon were pinned deep in their own half. The pressure told in the 26th minute when Díaz struck for the fifth time in the tournament, deftly guiding the ball into the net with his thigh after Ayoub El Kaabi flicked on a corner delivered by captain Achraf Hakimi.
It was Morocco’s sixth corner inside the opening 25 minutes and underlined their relentless start. The goal also carried historic significance, as Díaz became just the second player in AFCON history — after Osei Kofi — to score in five consecutive matches at the finals.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Atlas Lions continued to dictate the tempo and came close to doubling their advantage before the interval when Abde Ezzalzouli released El Kaabi on a swift counter-attack, only for the striker to find the side netting from close range.
Cameroon returned after the break with greater urgency, but their renewed attacking intent was blunted by a disciplined and well-organised Moroccan defence. Their best chance fell from a set-piece, when Georges-Kevin N’Koudou met a corner with a diving header that drifted wide.
With 15 minutes remaining, Morocco struck the decisive blow. From an Ezzalzouli free-kick, Nayef Aguerd’s clever touch found Saibari unmarked at the back post, and the midfielder calmly swept a low finish into the bottom corner to send the stadium into raptures.
At 2–0, and with belief coursing through the stands, Morocco were firmly in control. Cameroon could find no response as their hopes faded, while the hosts closed out a famous night in Rabat with composure — and a victory that not only propelled them into the semi-finals but finally ended a long-standing AFCON hoodoo against the Indomitable Lions.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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