Morocco, the host and top contender for the title, faces the indomitable lions from Cameroon in a historic clash in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, starting at eight in the evening on Friday, January 9, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco enters the match with tremendous fan support in Rabat, after a strong and organized performance in the tournament so far. The Atlas Lions, led by Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz (the tournament’s top scorer with 4 goals so far), dream of achieving their first title since 1976, something the Moroccan people have awaited for decades.
A tough 1-0 victory over Tanzania in the Round of 16 showcased their defensive solidity and their ability to settle major matches with small details. As for Cameroon, they are a team that is not always taken seriously… and then astonishes everyone! The indomitable lions qualified after a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Africa with goals from Junior Chama Dio and the amazing young Christian Kova.
Despite administrative upheavals before the tournament (a change of coach and internal conflicts), the Cameroon national team displays organized football and dangerous counterattacks led by Bryan Mbeumo and a strong midfield. History speaks in favor of Cameroon in past encounters:
- The Cameroon national team has never lost to Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations (two wins and one draw).
- In their last encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations (1988), Cameroon eliminated Morocco from the semifinals when Morocco was the host!
But this time is different… the pitch is Moroccan, the pressure on the home team is high, and the team has world-class stars in every line. Will Morocco succeed in breaking the historical curse of Cameroon against its host?
Or will the indomitable lions recreate the 1988 scenario and eliminate the host from the quarter-finals?
