AFCON 2025: Morocco shake off stubborn Tanzania to set up potential Bafana rematch

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AFCON 2025: Morocco shake off stubborn Tanzania to set up potential Bafana rematch

Bafana Bafana will have a rematch with Morocco if they make it to the quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Atlas Lions beat Tanzania 1-0 to book their ticket.

Morocco laboured against a stubborn Taifa Stars at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat on Sunday but finally broke their resistance when Brahim Diaze squeezed a fine strike past goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga.

The hosts thought they had broken the deadlock after 15 minutes when Ismael Saibari headed in from a left-wing delivery but a VAR check found him offside and the goal was chopped off.

Chances were few and far between for Morocco in a first half where they had no shot on target although Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi had opportunities that went begging on the stroke of halftime.

Salum wastes glorious chance

Miguel Gamondi saw his well-organised side pull off a defensive masterclass to keep the hosts at bay in the opening 45 minutes but they nearly conceded five minutes after the break when Masalanga had to claw away Abde Ezzalzouli’s close-range header.

Morocco nearly paid a heavy price for their wastefulness in front of goal as Kaizer Chiefs target Feisal Slum soon found himself with the ball at his feet in the box but somehow blazed it over when he needed to be composed.

The hosts did not let their guard down and continued with their high intensity. Captain Achraf Hakimi would rattle the woodwork with a well-taken freekick in the 60th minute but four minutes later, the entire stadium was on its feet.

Brahim Diaz of Morocco.

Will Morocco meet Bafana again?

Hakimi found Diaz and the Real Madrid star fired a powerful low shot at the near post with Masalanga unable to keep the ball out as it went past him and into the net for the moment the full stadium had been waiting for.

That extended Diaz’s impressive record of scoring in every match at AFCON 2025 and they never looked troubled after that as they held on to secure the win and a place in the last eight.

That sets up a potential revenge match against South Africa in the quarter-final as Morocco will face the winner between Cameroon and Bafana Bafana in the last eight.

South Africa eliminated Morocco from AFCON 2023 at the Round of 16, when they beat them 2-0, and the Atlas Lions will be praying for a rematch with Bafana Bafana to get their revenge.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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