Morocco edge Cameroon to reach TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON semi-finals

Hosts Morocco kept alive their hopes of retaining the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title after beating Cameroon 1-0 in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

Mohamed Habib Zinbi scored the only goal of the match in the 17th minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé to send the Atlas Cubs into the last four.

The result means Morocco remain on course for another deep run in the competition, having now reached the semi-finals for a third consecutive edition.

They will face the winner of the quarter-final between Senegal and Mali in Thursday’s semi-final.

Both Morocco and Cameroon had already secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals, but the focus in Salé was firmly on staying in the race for the continental title.

Morocco were not as dominant as they had been in some of their group-stage performances, but they showed the efficiency and defensive discipline needed in knockout football.

Cameroon created the first clear chance in the 13th minute when Arnold Massokon was played in behind the Moroccan defence.

The forward looked set to put the Indomitable Cubs ahead, but Morocco goalkeeper Rayan Yaakoubi came out strongly and made an important save inside the area.

That moment proved costly for Cameroon.

Four minutes later, Morocco punished them at the other end when Zinbi found space and directed a low angled shot into the bottom-left corner of Glory Missinga’s net.

It was a clinical finish from the Anderlecht left-back, who had already made an impact earlier in the tournament by providing an assist against Ethiopia.

The goal gave Morocco the platform they needed, but Cameroon refused to fade from the contest.

Massokon remained their most dangerous player and caused several uncomfortable moments for the Moroccan defence.

In the 37th minute, he turned sharply and sent an effort towards goal, but Yaakoubi reacted well again to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Cameroon pushed forward after the break as they searched for an equaliser, but Morocco’s defence stayed compact and avoided giving away too many clear openings.

Massokon again came close in the second half when his header drifted wide of Yaakoubi’s left post around the 69th minute.

Cameroon also tried their luck from distance, but several efforts either flew over the bar or were blocked by a well-positioned Moroccan defence.

Morocco coach Tiago Lima Pereira’s side had to show patience and maturity in the closing stages as Cameroon increased the pressure.

The hosts were forced to defend deeper at times, but they managed the final minutes well and protected their narrow lead until the final whistle.

For Cameroon, it was a frustrating exit after they had recovered from an opening defeat by Côte d’Ivoire to reach the knockout stage.

They had enough moments to trouble Morocco, but their lack of composure in the final third proved costly.

For Morocco, the victory underlined their ability to win in different ways.

After topping Group A unbeaten with seven points, the hosts showed in the quarter-final that they can also survive difficult spells and grind out a result under pressure.

The Atlas Cubs are now one match away from another final, with their dream of lifting the trophy on home soil still alive.