Díaz and Saibari Fire Morocco Past Cameroon 2-0 in AFCON Clash

RABAT, MOROCCO — Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari delivered the decisive blows as Morocco secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, reinforcing their status as one of the Africa Cup of Nations' most formidable sides. The Atlas Lions demonstrated remarkable tactical discipline and clinical efficiency, weathering sustained Cameroonian pressure to claim three crucial points in this high-stakes encounter.

The opening goal arrived in the 26th minute through a moment of predatory instinct from Díaz. Following a corner kick that created pandemonium in the Cameroon penalty area, Ayoub El Kaabi's initial effort was blocked, but the ball fell perfectly for the Real Madrid loanee. With composure that belied the match's intensity, Díaz swept home a left-footed shot from close range into the bottom left corner, showcasing the sharp attacking prowess that has defined Morocco's tournament campaign.

Cameroon responded with characteristic determination, dominating ball possession at 59.1% and pinning Morocco back for extended periods. The Indomitable Lions crafted several promising opportunities, with Bryan Mbeumo proving particularly threatening down the right flank. Georges-Kévin N'Koudou came agonizingly close to an equalizer in the 72nd minute, his powerful header from six yards sailing just wide of the post after a sublime delivery from Mbeumo following a corner kick.

The midfield battle proved a tactical chess match, with Cameroon's Carlos Baleba and Junior Dina Ebimbe working tirelessly to control the match's tempo against Morocco's compact and disciplined defensive structure. Neil El Aynaoui and Bilal El Khannouss formed an exceptional defensive shield, consistently breaking up play and launching lightning-quick counter-attacks whenever possession was regained.

Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou remained largely untroubled despite Cameroon's territorial dominance, with the Atlas Lions' defensive organization limiting their opponents to just five shots throughout the encounter. In stark contrast, Morocco demonstrated ruthless efficiency, registering nine shots and finding the target three times while keeping Cameroon completely scoreless.

The match's defining moment arrived in the 74th minute when Saibari emphatically put the result beyond doubt. Following a set-piece situation that saw Nayef Aguerd's initial delivery create chaos in the Cameroon defense, the ball broke to Saibari on the left side of the penalty area. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder displayed exceptional technical skill, curling a sublime left-footed effort into the bottom right corner past the helpless Dévis Epassy.

Cameroon's mounting frustration became increasingly evident as the match progressed, with both teams collecting two yellow cards in an increasingly physical encounter. The Indomitable Lions threw everything forward in the closing stages, introducing substitutes Frank Magri and Karl Etta Eyong to inject fresh attacking energy, but Morocco's defensive resilience remained unbroken.

The match statistics painted a nuanced picture of two contrasting footballing philosophies. While Cameroon dominated possession and created several half-chances, Morocco's clinical precision in both penalty areas proved decisively influential. The Atlas Lions' seven corners to Cameroon's four further highlighted their ability to generate dangerous set-piece opportunities, with both goals emerging from strategic dead-ball deliveries.

Full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui provided constant attacking threats, their pace and crossing ability consistently troubling the Cameroon defense. Hakimi's particularly incisive corner deliveries created the foundational platform for both goals, underscoring Morocco's tactical sophistication.

As the final whistle approached, Morocco managed the game with consummate professionalism, making strategic substitutions to preserve their hard-earned advantage. Late introductions Soufiane Rahimi and Hamza Igamane added fresh dynamism, while Cameroon's numerical possession advantage ultimately proved futile against Morocco's defensive masterclass.