Morocco advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat, thanks to a brilliant strike from Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz in the second half.
The win keeps Morocco’s dream of ending a 50-year wait for a continental title on home soil alive.
Díaz, who has been outstanding throughout the tournament and is a leading contender for Player of the Tournament, continued his remarkable run of scoring in every match.
His decisive goal came in the 64th minute, slipping the ball past Tanzania goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga at his near post.
Despite being ranked 101 places below Morocco in the FIFA World Rankings, Tanzania, also known as the Taifa Stars, made life difficult for the hosts.
They created several big chances in both halves, and a squad featuring seven home-based players will rue not capitalizing on the opportunity to pull off a massive upset. Tanzania are still chasing their first-ever win in the Nations Cup.
The match began with early promise for Tanzania. In the third minute, Selemani Abdala surged down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross that bypassed Morocco’s Yacine Bounou to find Simon Msuva unmarked at the back post.
The forward, perhaps surprised by the delivery, could only watch as his off-balance header went wide.
Morocco gradually found their rhythm, with Neil El Aynaoui testing Masalanga from distance in the 10th minute and Ismael Saibari seeing a close-range header ruled out for offside shortly after connecting with Abde Ezzalzouli’s freekick.
Late in the first half, Ayoub El Kaabi also sent a diving header just wide, leaving home fans anxious as the deadlock persisted.
Even with captain Achraf Hakimi returning for his first competitive start in two months, Morocco lacked the spark seen in earlier matches, especially in the absence of midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who appeared injured during the pre-match warm-up.
Bilal El Khannouss, Ounahi’s replacement, had a speculative effort over the bar in the 50th minute, while Masalanga comfortably saved an Ezzalzouli header soon after the restart.
Tanzania nearly shocked the hosts in the 57th minute when Bounou parried Mohamed Husseini’s long-range effort into the path of Abdala, who set up Feisal Salum, but the midfielder blasted over from close range.
Minutes later, Morocco struck. Hakimi carved open the right flank with deft footwork, fed Díaz, and the Real Madrid forward slotted the ball past Masalanga to give the Atlas Lions the lead.
Morocco celebrated by holding up Ounahi’s No. 8 shirt, a poignant tribute to their injured teammate. Díaz, who left the pitch in the 84th minute appearing uncomfortable, will be a concern for head coach Walid Regragui, but his strike ensured Morocco’s progression.
Tanzania tried to respond by bringing on veteran Mbwana Samatta, but the hosts held firm, with late penalty appeals for a push on substitute Iddi Alli ignored by officials.
Morocco now advance to their third quarterfinal since reaching the final in 2004, with the next match scheduled in Rabat on Friday.
