Morocco defeat Cameroon 1-0 to book U-17 AFCON semi-final spot

Morocco U-17 earned a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Cameroon U-17 on Sunday evening at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, sealing qualification for the semi-finals of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Early Miss Proves Costly for Cameroon

The quarter-final began at a frantic pace, with Cameroon creating the first major opening in the 13th minute. Arnold Massokon broke through the Moroccan defence but failed to convert a clear-cut chance that could have changed the complexion of the game.

Zenbi Strikes for Morocco

Morocco capitalised almost immediately on that miss. In the 17th minute, Mohamed Habib Zenbi delivered the decisive moment of the match, finishing clinically to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead that would ultimately decide the contest.

Cameroon Push Back Without Reward

After the break, Cameroon increased their intensity, relying heavily on physical duels and aerial threats to trouble Morocco’s defence. Massokon came close again in the 69th minute with a powerful header, but the Moroccan backline held its shape under pressure.

Morocco Show Defensive Steel

Under the leadership of captain Ismail El Aoud, the Atlas Cubs showed resilience in the closing stages, absorbing wave after wave of Cameroonian pressure to protect their narrow advantage and secure a clean sheet.

Semi-Final Awaits in Salé

With the win secured, Morocco now shift focus to a high-stakes semi-final in Salé, where they will face either Senegal or Mali at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in what promises to be another fiercely contested showdown.