Díaz Sends Morocco Into AFCON Quarterfinals With Narrow Win Over Tanzania
Brahim Díaz came to Morocco’s rescue with a decisive second-half goal as the tournament hosts edged Tanzania 1–0 to book their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at a packed Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat on Sunday.
The Atlas Lions will now face the winner of the round-of-16 clash between Bafana Bafana and Cameroon, who meet later on Sunday at Al Medina Stadium, also in Rabat.
In front of a passionate crowd of more than 69,500 supporters, Morocco were made to work hard by a disciplined Tanzanian side that looked capable of frustrating the hosts for long periods. The first half ended goalless, with Tanzania limiting Morocco to very few clear-cut chances.
Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi, who previously won the PSL title with Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2005/06 season as co-coach alongside Neil Tovey, set his team up to absorb pressure and defend resolutely.
African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi came close to breaking the deadlock just after the hour mark, crashing a powerful free kick against the crossbar in the 60th minute.
Morocco finally found the breakthrough four minutes later. Díaz, who has been the standout performer for the hosts, received a clever pass from Hakimi inside the box before squeezing a tight-angle shot past Tanzania goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga to send the home crowd into celebration.
The Real Madrid attacker has now scored four goals at AFCON 2025, making him the tournament’s leading scorer — one ahead of compatriot Ayoub El Kaabi. Díaz has also become the first Moroccan player to score four goals in a single Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
With Morocco through to the quarterfinals, Díaz remains a key attacking threat for coach Walid Regragui’s side as they chase their first AFCON title in 50 years.
The Atlas Lions last reached the final in 2004, where they suffered a 2–1 defeat to Tunisia. Regragui was part of that Moroccan squad as a defender, alongside current Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou.
