Africa. Morocco’s national football team achieved a hard-fought victory against Tanzania, winning 1-0 in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. This win propels the Atlas Lions into the quarter-finals, where they aim to capture their second continental title since 1976, following decades of near misses and disappointment.
Africa. The Moroccan national team secured a hard-fought victory against Tanzania, winning 1-0 in the Round of 16, thus ensuring their progression to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The Atlas Lions avoided underestimating the “Taifa Stars” and approached the match with seriousness, rising to the occasion and heeding the expectations of their passionate and loyal fans, who do not tolerate failures or accept complacency. They followed the advice of their coach, Walid Regragui, who urged them the night before the match to “remain humble and respect” their opponents.
Captain Achraf Hakimi and his teammates delivered a commendable performance that pleased the fans, confirming that the group stage was behind them and that they were now moving steadily towards claiming the second star that the Moroccan people have long awaited since 1976, a wait marked by decades of disappointment and frustration.
The Atlas Lions embarked on their mission to defeat Tanzania from the referee’s first whistle, Mali’s Boubou Traoré, imposing a tight blockade on the goal defended by Hussein Msalahonga amid cheers from 64,000 fans packed into the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, who raised the slogan “The people want the Africa Cup.”
Hakimi returned to the starting lineup after missing the first two matches in the group stage (against Comoros 2-0 and Mali 1-1) and coming on as a substitute in the last match (against Zambia, 3-0).
He joined Mazraoui, Masina, and Akhrd in defense; Khannous, Ainawi, Diaz, and Sabiri in midfield; and Hakimi and Zlzuli in attack, with Bono in goal. The pivotal midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was absent, having arrived at the stadium on crutches after suffering an ankle injury. According to local media reports, he will miss the remainder of the continental competition.
The match did not unfold as Moroccan fans had hoped, as Tanzania stood firm against the “Lions” throughout the first half, coming close to Bono’s goal on several occasions. Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi of the “Squirrels” told France 24 after his team’s qualification for the Round of 16 following a draw against Tunisia in the group stage that they would play without pressure against Morocco. He added that it was “an honor to face the host nation in front of their fans.”
The “Lions” dominated possession and controlled the game for most of the first half, but they only managed a few missed opportunities, such as a shot from Diaz in the 37th minute that went over the bar and a header from Kaabi in the 38th minute that went wide.
Zlzuli nearly scored the first goal in the 50th minute with a cross from Hakimi. Khannous came close to finding the net in the 52nd minute with a powerful shot that went over the goal. Kaabi also missed in the 55th minute with a shot off-target. In the 60th minute, the crossbar saved Msalahonga when Hakimi took a direct free kick from 18 meters out.
Real Madrid player Ibrahim Diaz liberated the Moroccan crowd, stadium, and team in the 64th minute when he penetrated the area, advanced with the ball, and shot into the net despite the tight angle, announcing the Atlas Lions’ lead at 1-0.
Regragui made three substitutions with 15 minutes left in the match, bringing on Anas Salah Eddine for Mazraoui, En-Nesyri for Kaabi, and Ben Sguir for Sabiri. The match’s hero, Diaz, was later substituted for Tragaline.
The match ended with a narrow but valuable victory for Morocco, allowing them to advance to the quarter-finals.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the main international football competition in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Established in 1957, it has grown to feature 24 teams competing for the prestigious title every two years. Morocco has a rich football history, having won the tournament in 1976, and they are eager to reclaim glory after a long wait. The current tournament is being hosted in Morocco, adding to the pressure and excitement for the national team to perform well on home soil.
