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Morocco Break 22-Year Drought to Storm into Semi-Finals

E28 Staff1
Morocco

Hosts Morocco’s AFCON hopes remain firmly alive after a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Friday’s quarter-final, sparking wild celebrations in Rabat. Roared on by nearly 64,000 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the Atlas Lions delivered a composed and ruthless performance to book their first semi-final place in 22 years.

Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz once again stole the spotlight, opening the scoring in the first half to continue his sensational tournament run. Ismail Sabry sealed the win after the break, putting Morocco firmly on course for a historic home triumph.

Diaz Makes History as Atlas Lions March On

Diaz’s goal marked a remarkable milestone. He became the first Moroccan player to score five goals in a single AFCON, and the only footballer in the last 57 years to find the net in each of his first five matches at the tournament.

Reflecting on the achievement, head coach Walid Regragui urged caution despite the emotional night.

β€œπ‘Ύπ’† 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 π’•π’‚π’Œπ’† π’Šπ’• 𝒐𝒏𝒆 π’ˆπ’‚π’Žπ’† 𝒂𝒕 𝒂 π’•π’Šπ’Žπ’†. 𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏’𝒕 π’‚π’„π’‰π’Šπ’†π’—π’†π’… π’‚π’π’šπ’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’šπ’†π’•,” 𝒉𝒆 π’”π’‚π’Šπ’….

Regragui also highlighted the long wait endured by Moroccan supporters:

β€œπ‘΄π’π’“π’π’„π’„π’‚π’π’” 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 π’•π’‰π’†π’Šπ’“ π’•π’†π’‚π’Ž 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 π’•π’‰π’Šπ’” π’”π’•π’‚π’ˆπ’† 𝒇𝒐𝒓 22 π’šπ’†π’‚π’“π’”. π‘»π’‰π’†π’š 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 π’•π’‰π’Šπ’”, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 π’˜π’† π’Žπ’–π’”π’• π’”π’•π’‚π’š π’ˆπ’“π’π’–π’π’…π’†π’… 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’Žπ’‚π’Œπ’† π’Šπ’• 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 π’Žπ’π’“π’† π’‰π’Šπ’”π’•π’π’“π’Šπ’„.”

Morocco will now face the winner of Algeria vs Nigeria in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Senegal Stay on Course for Another Final Push

In the other quarter-final, Senegal joined Morocco in the last four after edging Mali 1-0 in a tense West African clash. Everton forward Illiman Ndiaye scored the decisive goal as the Lions of Teranga moved one step closer to a third final appearance in four editions.

With Morocco carrying home pressure and Senegal brimming with experience, the AFCON semi-finals promise a thrilling battle for continental supremacy.

Also Read: FIFA to Digitally Scan 1,248 Players Ahead of World Cup

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