Cameroon advance to q’final clash against Morocco after beating Senegal 2-1
CAF 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Junior Tchamadeu scored his first international goal against Senegal.
Cameroon booked a quarter-final meeting with hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations after both sides edged through contrasting round of 16 encounters on Sunday.
The Indomitable Lions sealed their place in the last eight with a 2–1 victory over South Africa, ending a seven-match winless run against Bafana Bafana in the process.
Cameroon struggled to impose itself in the final third for much of the opening period but struck decisively in the 34th minute. A corner was only partially cleared and, after a series of deflections, the ball fell kindly for Junior Tchamadeu, who kept his composure to curl home his first international goal from close range.
The Lions doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half as Aboubakar Nagida delivered a precise cross that Christian Kofane headed in from a tight angle. South Africa pushed for a response and were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Devis Epassy, whose standout saves included a point-blank stop from Samukele Kabini and a fine tip-over from Teboho Mokoena’s free kick.
Pressure finally told late on when Evidence Makgopa pulled a goal back from close range with two minutes remaining, but Cameroon held firm through stoppage time to progress, continuing their trend of narrow victories in the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Morocco secured their own quarter-final berth with a tense 1–0 win over Tanzania in front of a vocal home crowd. The hosts dominated possession from the outset but were frustrated by a disciplined Taifa Stars defence, with Ismael Saibari seeing an early header disallowed for offside.
Despite controlling large spells, Morocco reached half-time without registering a shot on target, while Tanzania remained a threat on the break. The second half began at a higher tempo, and the hosts went close when Hussein Masalanga clawed away Abde Ezzalzouli’s header, before Tanzania missed a golden chance as Feisal Salum blazed over when presented with a clear opening.
With nerves growing inside the stadium, the breakthrough finally arrived after 64 minutes when Brahim Díaz squeezed a low effort past Masalanga at his near post, continuing his scoring streak at the tournament. The goal eased the pressure on the Atlas Lions, who managed the closing stages calmly to seal victory.
Morocco and Cameroon will now meet in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the hosts chasing a first continental title in half a century and the Indomitable Lions carrying momentum from another hard-fought knockout success.
