RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Brahim Dias scored again and hosts Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 on Friday against Senegal in the African Cup of Nations semifinals.
Dias scored a header from Ayub El Kaabi’s corner kick in the 27th minute, extending Morocco’s record by scoring in five consecutive games in the tournament. Diaz ran to the corner and shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know how he scored again.
Ismael Saibari clinched the victory in the 74th minute with a low shot inside the far post from a corner kick, just minutes after Cameroonian substitute Georges-Kevin Nkoudou came close to scoring.
This turned out to be the only real chance for five-time champions Cameroon. indomitable lions At the Africa Cup, they lost to Atlas Lions for the first time in five tournaments.
“It wasn’t a perfect game because we gave Cameroon confidence again in the second half,” Morocco coach Walid Leglaghi said. “In the first half we expended a lot of energy and gave our best on the field. But in the second half we took a step back, so there are things we can improve on. In the end, we are in the semi-finals.”
Next game is Morocco Nigeria or Algeria on Wednesday.
Cameroon’s players danced their way to the locker room before the game, but as they took to the field, a deafening whistle sounded through the nearly 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco will be supported by local fans in the semi-finals, but if they advance, they will also be in the final on January 18th.
The Atlas Lions might have won even more had it not been for Cameroon captain Noujo Toro’s brilliant clearance early on and Samuel Cotto’s goal-line clearance in the second half. In the first half, Abdessamad Ezarzouri’s shot went wide and El Kaabi found the side netting, and in the second half Ezarzouri headed it home.
The tireless Diaz drew applause in the final moments. He will get an extra day off for the team’s next opponent.
Teranga Lions also make great progress
Iliman Ndiay’s first-half goal was enough for Senegal to beat 10-man Mali 1-0 in the first game of the quarter-finals.
Ndiay tucked the ball in from close range in the 27th minute after Crepin Diatta’s cross slipped through the fingers of Mali keeper Gygi Diarra and fell at Ndiay’s feet.
The winter rain that had dampened the tournament started falling early at the Grand Stade de Tangier, but it probably didn’t help Diarra’s grip on the ball.
Despite his side’s brave start, Mali captain Yves Bissouma, who had already been booked for a foul on Sadio Mane, dealt the Eagles’ hopes a big blow before half-time when he was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Idrissa Gueye.
Referee Abongile Tom had already sent off Woyo Koulibaly in the last match against Mali. Victory over Tunisia in penalty shootoutBissouma’s sending off was the team’s third sending off in as many games.
Abdoulaye Diaby gave Mali the best chance an hour before the start, but his shot was too close to Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy.
Otherwise, all the chances were on the other side. Diarra made saves from Lamine Kamara and Mane in stoppage time.
The 2021 champions will stay in Tangier and await the winner of Ivory Coast vs. Egypt in the first semi-final on Wednesday.
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Associated Press at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
