Senegal and Morocco progressed to the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday after contrasting but equally commanding quarter-final victories played across Morocco.
In Tangier, Senegal edged past Mali with a 1-0 win at the Ibn Batouta Stadium, a tightly contested encounter decided by Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half strike.
The holders approached the 16:00 GMT kick-off with caution, aware of Mali’s reputation for intensity and resilience, and the opening exchanges reflected that tension, with both sides prioritising structure over risk.
The pivotal moment arrived just before the interval when Mali were reduced to 10 men.
Yves Bissouma, who had already been cautioned in the 23rd minute, was shown a second yellow card, followed by a red, swinging the balance of the match firmly in Senegal’s favour.
Ndiaye had already put his side ahead, and with the numerical advantage, the Lions of Teranga were able to dictate the rhythm of the second half, protecting their narrow lead under the supervision of South African referee Tom Abongile.
Despite the setback, Mali refused to fold, forcing Senegal to remain vigilant until the final whistle.
The defending champions relied on organisation and discipline to see out the contest, underlining why they remain one of the most difficult teams to break down in this tournament.
Later in the evening, Morocco delivered a more assertive statement of intent in Rabat, overcoming Cameroon 2-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in front of a buoyant home crowd.
The Atlas Lions took control midway through the first half when Brahim Diaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute, registering his fifth goal of the competition and extending a remarkable scoring run that has defined Morocco’s campaign.
Cameroon attempted to respond after the break, but Morocco’s defensive shape proved unyielding.
Their advantage was doubled in the 74th minute when Abde Saibari struck, extinguishing any lingering hopes of a comeback and confirming Morocco’s continued dominance on home soil.
The victory ensured that the hosts maintained a perfect record in the knockout rounds, blending attacking efficiency with collective composure.
Cameroon, by contrast, bowed out having struggled to find solutions against a Moroccan side that combined patience with clinical finishing.
The semi-final line-up will now take shape over the coming days.
Senegal return to Tangier on January 14 for an 18:00 GMT kick-off, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between Egypt and Ivory Coast, scheduled for 19:00 GMT in Agadir.
That fixture is expected to provide a stern test for the holders, who have so far navigated the tournament with a mix of pragmatism and resilience.
Morocco will also be in action on January 14, with their semi-final slated for 20:00 GMT.
Their opponents will be decided by the outcome of the Algeria versus Nigeria clash, set to be played in Marrakech at 17:00 GMT.
With the hosts enjoying both form and fervent backing, anticipation is building around what promises to be another electric night in Rabat.
As the tournament edges closer to its conclusion, the presence of both the reigning champions and the host nation in the last four sets the stage for a dramatic finale.
For Senegal and Morocco, Friday’s victories were not merely steps towards silverware, but affirmations of intent in a competition that continues to deliver high drama at every turn.
