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Morocco and Senegal Secure Historic AFCON Semifinal Spots

Host nation Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 with goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari to reach the AFCON semifinals for the first time in 22 years. Senegal joined them by beating Mali 1-0 thanks to a goal from Iliman Ndiaye, in a match where Mali's captain Yves Bissouma was sent off. Morocco will face the winner of the Algeria vs. Nigeria quarterfinal, while Senegal awaits the victor of Egypt vs. Côte d'Ivoire. Both teams are now two wins away from continental glory, with Morocco under particular pressure to win the trophy at home.

Key Points: Morocco, Senegal Reach AFCON Semifinals - Match Results

  • Morocco avenges 1988 loss to Cameroon
  • Senegal wins tight West African derby
  • Semifinal matchups hinge on Saturday results
  • Morocco seeks first AFCON title in 50 years
2 min read

Football: Morocco, Senegal reach CAF Africa Cup of Nations semifinals

Hosts Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0, while Senegal defeated Mali 1-0 to book the first two CAF Africa Cup of Nations semifinal places.

"We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet. - Walid Regragui"

Rabat, Jan 10

Host Morocco won over Cameroon 2-0, and Senegal defeated Mali 1-0 on Friday to book the first two tickets to the semifinals in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.

At Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock for Morocco in the 26th minute, while Ismael Saibari sealed the win with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box in the 74th minute. Morocco were beaten by Cameroon in the semi-finals the last time they hosted AFCON in 1988, but things took a different course on Friday night.

Morocco, Africa's top-ranked nation and World Cup semifinalists in 2022, are under enormous pressure to win the trophy in front of their own fans, half a century after their last continental title. Co

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said they were on course to achieve that dream.

"We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet," said Regragui, who nevertheless also hailed a "historic" victory after the match.

"Moroccans have not seen their team in the semi-final of an AFCON for 22 years. They deserve it, but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic," he was quoted as saying by the local media.

In the last-four stage, Morocco will face the winner of Saturday's clash between Algeria and Nigeria, reports Xinhua.

Meanwhile, Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal of the match for Senegal in the 27th minute at Tangier's Grand Stadium. During this fiercely contested West African derby, Mali were reduced to ten men when their captain, Yves Bissouma, was sent off in added time at the end of the first half, reports Xinhua.

Senegal will next face the winner of Saturday's match between record champion Egypt and title holder Côte d'Ivoire.

The biggest football tournament in Africa will continue with the third and fourth semifinal spots to be decided on Saturday night.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian football fan, it's inspiring to see African football at this level. The passion, the quality! Our national team has a long way to go, but we can learn from their grassroots development and structure.
R
Rohit P
Senegal are so clinical. Just one goal and they manage the game perfectly. That red card for Mali's captain was the turning point. Tough luck for them. Looking forward to Egypt vs Senegal if that happens!
S
Sarah B
The coach's comment is spot on. "We have not done anything yet." That's the right mentality. Celebrating a semi-final berth is fine, but the trophy is the real goal. Hope they can handle the expectations.
V
Vikram M
While the football is great, I wish Indian media gave even half this coverage to our own domestic leagues and national team. We're always looking outwards. We need to build our own football culture first, yaar.
K
Karthik V
Exciting matches! The Morocco vs Algeria/Nigeria semi will be a blockbuster. African football has grown so much. It's time for the AIFF to take notes and invest in youth academies. The talent is there in India too.

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