Brahim Díaz fires Morocco into the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals where Cameroon awaits

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Brahim Díaz kept Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations title hopes on track while five-time winner Cameroon beat South Africa 2-1 for a showdown with the host nation in the quarterfinals.

Díaz sent Morocco through with a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Sunday before Cameroon held on to beat South Africa for the first time since 1992 thanks to goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane. They meet in the next round on Friday.

“The Morocco game is far away for us,” Cameroon coach David Pagou said. “We suffered today, even if we won.”

Indomitable Lions progress

South Africa was left to rue a host of missed chances early on when Cameroon’s defenders looked as though they were playing together for the first time.

The Bafana Bafana had two extra days to prepare for their last 16 game, while Cameroon’s last group game was Wednesday.

An injury to Cameroon’s Darlin Yongwa allowed both teams to re-adjust before play resumed.

Cameroon improved, supported by most fans in the cozy 18,000-capacity Stade Al Barid.

There was a huge roar when TV cameras picked up Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon forward who’s now president of the country’s soccer federation, while boos rang out whenever South Africa coach Hugo Broos was shown on the big screen, apparently for his comments about the lack of an “AFCON vibe” in Morocco.

Tchamadeu got the opener when he side-footed the ball inside the far post in the 34th after he was left free when South African defenders failed to clear Cameroon’s first corner.

The Indomitable Lions emerged with more bite after the break, with Aboubakar Nagida crossing for Kofane to head the second goal in the 47th.

“I don’t think Cameroon were really dangerous in the first half and we wanted to continue like this in the second half. But after the second goal it was very difficult,” Broos said. “Cameroon stayed very well as a block.”

Cameroon goalkeeper Dévis Epassy saved from Samukelo Kabini, who’d missed one of the early chances, then dived to keep out Teboho Mokoena’s free kick.

Evidence Makgopa’s 88th-minute strike was too late for the Bafana Bafana.

Díaz to Morocco’s rescue

Díaz, who has quickly emerged as Morocco’s star player, broke the deadlock against Tanzania in the 64th minute. He beat Hussein Masalanga at his near post when the Taifa Stars’ goalkeeper probably expected a cross.

It was Díaz’s fourth goal in four games and it set off celebrations of relief around Rabat’s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home team will play all its games as long as it keeps winning through to the final on Jan. 18.

The Atlas Lions had dominated possession but were largely frustrated by Tanzania’s disciplined and committed defense.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi made his first start of the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury and played the whole game.

Senegal and Mali booked their places in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations