Can Morocco and Senegal Secure Their Spots in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Semifinals?
Synopsis
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is heating up as Morocco and Senegal secure their spots in the semifinals. With thrilling matches and historic stakes, both teams aim for glory. Will Morocco break their 50-year title drought? Find out the drama unfolding in Rabat and Tangier.
Key Takeaways
Morocco won 2-0 against Cameroon .
Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over Mali .
Morocco aims for their first title in 50 years.
Coach Walid Regragui emphasizes taking it one game at a time.
Senegal will face the winner of Egypt vs.
Rabat, Jan 10 (NationPress) The host nation, Morocco, triumphed over Cameroon with a score of 2-0, while Senegal edged past Mali 1-0 on Friday, securing the first two spots in the semifinals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.
At the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Brahim Diaz opened the scoring for Morocco in the 26th minute, followed by Ismael Saibari, who confirmed the victory with a left-footed shot from the center of the box in the 74th minute. The last time Morocco hosted AFCON in 1988, they suffered a defeat to Cameroon in the semifinals; however, Friday's match unfolded differently.
Morocco, recognized as Africa's top-ranked team and semifinalists in the 2022 World Cup, faces significant pressure to claim the trophy at home, marking half a century since their last continental title. Morocco's head coach, Walid Regragui, expressed confidence in pursuing that dream.
“We must continue to take it one game at a time. We haven't accomplished anything yet,” stated Regragui, who also celebrated this “historic” win post-match.
“Moroccans haven't seen their team in an AFCON semi-final for 22 years. They truly deserve this moment, but we need to remain grounded and strive for an even more historic outcome,” he mentioned in local media reports.
In the semifinal round, Morocco is set to compete against the winner of the upcoming match between Algeria and Nigeria, according to reports from Xinhua.
On the other hand, Iliman Ndiaye netted the sole goal for Senegal in the 27th minute at the Grand Stadium in Tangier. During this highly competitive West African derby, Mali was reduced to ten players when their captain, Yves Bissouma, received a red card in stoppage time of the first half, as reported by Xinhua.
Senegal will now await the victor of the match between record champions Egypt and reigning title holders Côte d'Ivoire.
The continent's premier football tournament continues, with the remaining semifinal spots to be determined on Saturday night.
Point of View
It's heartening to witness the resurgence of Moroccan football as they advance to the semifinals after a long absence. This tournament not only showcases the talent of African nations but also fosters national pride. With Morocco and Senegal leading the charge, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams reached the semifinals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations?
Morocco and Senegal reached the semifinals by defeating Cameroon and Mali, respectively.
When did Morocco last host the AFCON?
Morocco last hosted the AFCON in 1988.
Who scored the goals for Morocco in their semifinal match?
Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari scored for Morocco.
What was the score of the Senegal vs. Mali match?
Senegal won the match against Mali with a score of 1-0.
Who is the coach of the Moroccan national football team?
Walid Regragui is the head coach of the Moroccan national football team.
