Diaz Strike Sends Morocco into AFCON Last Eight
Hosts overcome stubborn Tanzania to secure quarter-final place
Football news
Enobong Ernest
Dailysports's expert
Morocco booked a place in the AFCON quarter-finals with a tense 1-0 win over Tanzania after a dominant but testing display.
The hosts controlled possession throughout the first half but struggled to break down a disciplined Tanzanian defence. An early Ismael Saibari strike was ruled out for offside after a VAR review, while chances from Ayoub El Kaabi and Brahim Diaz went begging. Tanzania threatened sporadically on the counter, with Simon Msuva heading wide.
The breakthrough came after the hour mark when Achraf Hakimi surged forward and teed up Diaz, who finished from a tight angle. Tanzania pressed late, forcing Yassine Bounou into action, but Morocco slowed the game, defended calmly, and held firm through added time to seal victory.
