Cameroon beat South Africa, Morocco overcome Tanzania to reach AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals

Cameroon and Morocco booked their places in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 on a dramatic Sunday in Rabat, each overcoming stern resistance in contrasting but equally tense Round of 16 encounters.

At the Stade Moulay Abdellah, Cameroon once again demonstrated why they are known as the Indomitable Lions, edging past a dominant South Africa side 2–1 despite spending long periods under pressure.

For the opening half hour, Bafana Bafana dictated the tempo with high pressing, vertical attacks and several clear chances.

Cameroon bent but did not break, relying on goalkeeper Devis Epassy and South Africa’s lack of clinical finishing to survive an early storm.

The turning point came in the 34th minute. Against the run of play, Junior Tchamadeu struck with Cameroon’s first real opportunity, a precise finish that instantly shifted the momentum.

Buoyed by the goal, Cameroon emerged from the break revitalised and doubled their lead just two minutes into the second half when Christian Kofane produced a composed diving header to make it 2–0.

South Africa refused to surrender. Their persistence was rewarded late on when Evidence Makgopa pulled one back in the 87th minute, setting up a nervy finale.

Under sustained pressure, Cameroon retreated into a compact defensive shape and held firm until the final whistle, showing resilience and composure to secure qualification despite being outplayed for large stretches.

Earlier in the day, hosts Morocco also had to dig deep to progress, claiming a narrow 1–0 victory over a disciplined Tanzania side at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.

The Atlas Lions dominated possession from the outset but struggled to break down Tanzania’s compact defensive block, which limited space and frustrated Morocco’s attacking flow.

Morocco thought they had taken the lead in the 24th minute through Ismail Saibari, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 63rd minute when Brahim Diaz produced a moment of individual brilliance, cutting inside and finishing from a tight angle to score his fourth goal of the tournament.

Tanzania remained competitive until the end and even threatened an equaliser, but Morocco managed the closing stages with maturity to seal their place in the last eight.

The results set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between Cameroon and Morocco on Friday in Rabat, promising a heavyweight encounter between African champions and tournament hosts as the AFCON 2025 reaches its decisive phase.

Photos

• Morocco vs Tanzania

• Cameroon vs South Africa