4.1.2026
Hosts Morocco subdued a stubborn Taifa Stars of Tanzania with a 1-0 win in Sunday’s round of 16 Africa Cup of Nations tie in Rabat.
Brahim Diaz scored the decisive goal in the 64th minute as Morocco moved into the quarterfinals.
Morocco dominated possessions but found it hard to crack the close knitted Tanzania team. They even threatened to draw the first blood when they had a rare counterattack, but poor finishing robbed them of scoring.
Morocco kept pressing through Ismael Saibari’s forward runs and Diaz’s creativity, while Ayoub El Kaabi drew attention as a target in the box and went close with a header before the break, but the scoreline remained unchanged despite repeated attempts against a deep Tanzanian block.
The second half opened with chances at both ends. Bilal El Khannouss sent a curling shot just over the bar, and Ez Abde Ezzalzouli forced a reflex save with a downward header, before Hakimi delivered a cross that El Kaabi headed wide from close range.
Tanzania then nearly stunned the stadium when Salum fired over an open goal after Yassine Bounou parried a long range shot into the middle.
Diaz settled the match moments later by beating his marker inside the area and driving a low finish at the near post.