Cameroon set up Morocco clash in the AFCON quarter-finals after beating South Africa, while hosts Morocco edged Tanzania
Cameroon booked a quarter-final meeting with hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations after both teams edged through contrasting round-of-16 matches on Sunday.
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Cameroon reached the last eight with a 2–1 victory over South Africa, ending a seven-match winless run against Bafana Bafana.
The Indomitable Lions struggled for fluency in the opening stages but struck decisively in the 34th minute when a partially cleared corner dropped to Junior Tchamadeu, who kept his composure to curl in his first international goal from close range.
The advantage was doubled two minutes into the second half as Aboubakar Nagida delivered a precise cross that Christian Kofane headed in from a tight angle.
South Africa responded with sustained pressure and were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Devis Epassy, whose commanding display included a point-blank stop from Samukele Kabini and a fingertip save to tip over Teboho Mokoena’s free kick.
Evidence Makgopa pulled a goal back from close range with two minutes remaining, but Cameroon held firm through stoppage time to complete another narrow, resilient victory.
Earlier in the day, Morocco secured their own quarter-final place with a tense 1–0 win over Tanzania in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Atlas Lions dominated possession but were frustrated by Tanzania’s disciplined defence, with an early Ismael Saibari header ruled out for offside and no shots on target recorded before the interval.
The tempo increased after the break as Hussein Masalanga clawed away Abde Ezzalzouli’s header, before Tanzania missed a clear opportunity when Feisal Salum fired over from close range.
The breakthrough came after 64 minutes when Brahim Díaz squeezed a low effort past Masalanga at the near post, continuing his scoring run in the tournament and releasing a surge of relief inside the stadium.
Morocco managed the closing stages with assurance to seal victory and maintain their push for a first continental title in 50 years.
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Morocco and Cameroon will meet in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the hosts carrying home advantage and Cameroon arriving with momentum from another hard-fought knockout success.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
