Returning captain Achraf Hakimi set up Brahim Diaz’s winner as host nation Morocco reached the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) quarter-finals by seeing off a stubborn Tanzania side in Rabat.
Starting his first match for more than two months following an ankle injury, Paris St-Germain right-back Hakimi fed Diaz to fire past Hussein Masalanga at the goalkeeper’s near post midway through the second half, sending the Atlas Lions through to a last-eight meeting with Cameroon.
The Real Madrid playmaker became the first Morocco player to score in four successive matches at the Afcon finals, having been the top scorer in qualifying with seven goals.
Hakimi hammered a free-kick against the crossbar as part of a succession of attacks by his side after the break, with Masalanga also saving impressively from Abde Ezzalzouli’s close-range header and Ayoub El Kaabi glancing Hakimi’s cross wide.
Feisal Salum had Tanzania’s best chance shortly before Diaz struck, lifting the rebound over the bar after Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou had been unable to hold Mohamed Hussein’s curling shot from distance.
Tanzania appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty during second-half stoppage time when Iddy Nado reached the ball in front of Adam Masina, who had a hand on the substitute’s arm and put his elbow into the Taifa Stars man’s back as he went down inside the box.
Morocco, who are looking to secure a first continental title since 1976, will face five-time champions Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Friday (19:00 GMT) after the Indomitable Lions beat South Africa 2-1 in Sunday’s late game.
Morocco won this fixture 3-0 when the sides met at the 2023 Afcon, but it soon became evident that the contest would be less straightforward this time around.
At 112th in the world, the Taifa Stars are ranked 101 places below Morocco and became the first side to progress to the last 16 with two points since the tournament was expanded to a 24-team tournament in 2019.
Captain Mbwana Samatta made way for 19-year-old Selemani Mwalimu in Miguel Angel Gamondi’s starting line-up, and the full debutant created the first chance of the game by charging inside the box on the right and overhitting a cross towards the unmarked Simon Msuva at the far post, with Msuva unable to divert it on target.
Morocco winger Ismael Saibari headed a free-kick past Masalanga in the 15th minute but his effort was ruled out for offside, with the decision eventually confirmed by the video assistant referee.
Masalanga was then perhaps fortunate not to concede a goal or penalty when he clattered into El Kaabi while springing well off his line in a clumsy attempt to intercept Diaz’s cross, leaving both players prone on the floor after the striker had headed over.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui had clearly told his players to raise their intensity and accuracy after the break, with Diaz finally giving his boss and their expectant fans relief with a fierce finish which went in via Masalanga’s gloves.
Hakimi, who began his comeback as a second-half substitute in the win over Zambia on Monday, will take confidence from completing the full game following his long lay off.
The favourites’ reward is another step towards a first semi-final since 2004, when Regragui was part of the Morocco side beaten in the final by Tunisia.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s winless run at the Afcon finals now stands at 13 games stretching back to their debut in 1980 – but the Taifa Stars have gained more experience before co-hosting the 2027 edition alongside Kenya and Uganda.
