The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 has delivered breathtaking drama, and the quarter-finals were no exception. Host nation Morocco emphatically booked their place in the last four with a historic victory over rivals Cameroon. Similarly, defending champions Senegal are also through, thanks to a solitary, decisive goal from Iliman Ndiaye against a resilient Mali. The stage is now set for two massive semi-final encounters.

Atlas Lions End Cameroon Hoodoo

Morocco entered their quarter-final clash against Cameroon carrying the weight of history. Before this match, they had never beaten the Indomitable Lions in an AFCON finals tournament. However, playing in front of a passionate home crowd in Rabat, the Atlas Lions flipped the script with a dominant 2-0 win.

The hosts controlled the game from the start. Consequently, their pressure paid off with a superb goal from Brahim Díaz. For more about his career, you can visit his official page. Ismael Saibari later added a second goal, sealing a comfortable and momentous victory. This win not only ends a long-standing winless streak but also sends a clear message to their next opponents.

Historically, the rivalry has been one-sided in AFCON:

• 1988 Semi-final: Cameroon 1-0 Morocco
• 1992 Group Stage: Cameroon 1-0 Morocco
• 1986 Group Stage: A hard-fought draw

This 2025 victory, therefore, marks a significant turning point for Morocco, which now advances to face either Nigeria or Algeria for a place in the final.

Ndiaye the Hero for Teranga Lions

In the other major quarter-final, Senegal edged out Mali in a tense 1-0 affair. The match was a tight contest, ultimately decided by a single moment of brilliance and opportunism from Iliman Ndiaye.

In the 27th minute, Ndiaye pounced on a rare goalkeeping error. Mali’s keeper Djigui Diarra mishandled a cross, and Ndiaye was perfectly placed to slot the loose ball home. This crucial goal proved to be the winner. The victory was a testament to Senegal’s resilience, especially after Mali’s captain was sent off just before halftime. The win secures Senegal’s eighth-ever appearance in the AFCON semi-finals as they continue their title defence.

What Lies Ahead

With two titans now confirmed for the semi-finals, the excitement for AFCON 2025 is reaching a fever pitch. Morocco’s confident performance as hosts makes it a formidable force. Meanwhile, Senegal’s knack for grinding out important results shows its championship pedigree is still very much intact. The continent, and indeed the world, now eagerly awaits the remaining quarter-final results to see who will join them.