Cameroon vs Morocco: Pressure, Pride and a Place in the AFCON Semi-finals
All roads lead to Rabat on Friday night as Africa Cup of Nations 2025 hosts Morocco face Cameroon in a quarter-final loaded with history, tension and continental ambition.
For Morocco, this is more than just another knockout tie. Backed by a passionate home crowd at the Stade Moulay Abdellah, the Atlas Lions are chasing a first AFCON crown since 1976, determined to turn World Cup momentum into long-awaited African glory. With captain Achraf Hakimi back to full fitness and Brahim Diaz in devastating form, expectations are sky-high—and so is the pressure.
Diaz has emerged as the face of Morocco’s campaign, scoring in every match so far and shouldering the creative responsibility in the absence of the injured Azzedine Ounahi. Alongside the reliability of Yassine Bounou and the physical presence of Ayoub El Kaabi, Morocco believe this could finally be their moment.
Standing in their way are a Cameroon side that has thrived amid chaos. Written off after a turbulent pre-tournament period and coaching upheaval, the Indomitable Lions have quietly rebuilt belief. Their round-of-16 victory over South Africa reignited memories of Cameroon’s famous tournament resilience, led by the fearless emergence of teenage forward Christian Kofane and the experience of Bryan Mbeumo.
Cameroon arrive in Rabat with little to lose and everything to gain, a dangerous combination against hosts carrying the weight of national expectation. History favours the five-time champions, but momentum and atmosphere lean Morocco’s way.
The late confirmation of match officials prompted a formal complaint from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, urging CAF to uphold transparency for a fixture of this magnitude.
Team News
Morocco welcome back captain Achraf Hakimi, whose return has restored leadership and balance on the right flank. Creative talisman Brahim Diaz has been Morocco’s standout performer, scoring in every match so far.
However, head coach Walid Regragui must cope without Azzedine Ounahi, who is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a calf injury.
Cameroon’s AFCON journey has been shaped by off-field chaos, including the late coaching change following the dismissal of Marc Brys and the appointment of David Pagou.
The Lions could be without midfielder Darlin Yongwa, who limped off early in the round-of-16 win over South Africa.
Predicted Lineups
Morocco (4-3-3)
Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui;
El Khannouss, El Aynaoui, Saibari;
Diaz, El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli
Cameroon (3-4-3)
Devis Epassy; Che Malone, Samuel Kotto, Nouhou Tolo;
Junior Tchamadeu, Arthur Avom, Carlos Baleba, Mahamadou Nagida;
Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Kofane, Danny Namaso
Match Officials (Confirmed)
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
Assistants: Mahmoud Abu El-Regal, Adel El-Banna (Egypt)
Fourth Official: Jean Jacques Ndala (DR Congo)
VAR: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algria)
AVAR: Haithem Guirat (Tunisia)