Match Preview
Match hosts Morocco face a particularly robust check of their quest to win the Africa Cup of Nations on dwelling soil as they face Cameroon within the quarter-finals.
Morocco, semi-finalists on the subsequent World Cup, stay the favourites to raise the trophy. Nevertheless, they haven’t been overly convincing thus far and didn’t discover the decisive aim of their last-16 conflict with Tanzania till the sixty fourth minute.
A gathering with one other of African soccer’s conventional heavyweights represents a major step up within the degree of opposition for the Atlas Lions.
Cameroon won’t be becoming a member of them on the 2026 World Cup after failing to qualify, however their 2-1 win over South Africa, one other workforce that shall be current in North America in the summertime, within the final 16 served as a reminder of their high quality and their menace.
Morocco have by no means crushed Cameroon within the AFCON, and misplaced to them within the semi-finals the final time the match was held within the nation in 1988.
However coach Walid Regragui is just not all in favour of that historical past.
“Cameroon knocked us out within the 1988 semifinal, however the previous is the previous. As we speak we’re a brand new Morocco,” he instructed his pre-match press convention.
Morocco’s followers have been removed from impressed with their performances thus far, and Regragui acknowledged his aspect are beneath vital strain.
“We even have one thing to lose,” he added. “We’re organising the occasion at dwelling, and in 4 months we play the World Cup. There’s a huge problem forward.
“That is the Cup of Africa for humility. If we play with modesty, we’ll obtain end result. The choice shall be made on the pitch.”
Cameroon boss David Pagou additionally dismissed the historical past of the fixture, and made it clear that the hosts are agency favourites.
“The previous doesn’t assure the long run,” Pagou instructed reporters.
“Particularly in soccer. You may be very profitable yesterday and a flop at present. The matches between the 2 nations are a factor of the previous.
“Morocco, this pleasant and brotherly nation, is the pure favorite. A World Cup semi-finalist. It is going to be a really troublesome match towards an excellent workforce. We’ll attempt to problem them.
“What characterises Cameroonians is their braveness. Even when there’s a mountain to beat. It’s the psychological power that makes the distinction.
“We’re proud to be right here. We’re targeted. Morocco is on the prime; they’re a formidable workforce. The problem won’t be simple, however we’re able to take it on. My gamers are younger and need to make their mark on soccer historical past. Let’s be affected person with them.
“It’s a quarter-final towards the host nation, which has very robust particular person gamers and a high-performing workforce. Morocco hasn’t misplaced at dwelling for a really very long time. That’s an additional motivation. It is going to be a psychological battle.”
Morocco shall be higher ready to outmanoeuvre us. We’re in our personal bubble, and all our gamers are younger. They weren’t even born in 1988.
“Morocco has some really nice footballers; the 2025 African Participant of the Yr was Achraf Hakimi. The stadium shall be full, however we’ll hear the Cameroonians’ chants extra.”
Workforce Information for Cameroon v Morocco
Left-back Darlin Yongwa is a doubt for Cameroon with an damage he sustained towards South Africa.
For Morocco, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi is out for the remainder of the match with a leg damage.
Predicted line-ups for Cameroon v Morocco
Cameroon: Epassy; Kotto, Tolo, Malone; Nagida, Namaso, Baleba, Ebong, Tchamadeu; Mbeumo, Kofane.
Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Khannouss, Al Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi.
Tips on how to watch Cameroon v Morocco
Cameroon v Morocco kicks off at 7:00pm UK time on Friday. It is going to be broadcast within the UK on 4Seven.
Stats for Cameroon v Morocco
- Cameroon and Morocco have met 13 instances throughout all competitions since their first conflict in 1981.
- The Indomitable Lions have gained six of these matches, with the Atlas Lions claiming two victories. 5 video games resulted in a draw.
- They’ve confronted one another 4 instances within the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Indomitable Lions profitable 3 times (D1).
- Brahim Diaz is the highest scorer at this AFCON, discovering the online 4 instances for the hosts.
- Morocco have saved three clear sheets on this match, conceding simply as soon as. They’ve but to concede from open play.
- Cameroon have misplaced simply twice since their last-16 exit on the 2023 AFCON, although these defeats to Cape Verde and DR Congo prevented them from qualifying for the World Cup.
- Equally, Morocco have solely suffered one defeat since they misplaced within the spherical of 16 in 2023 AFCON. That got here towards Kenya within the 2024 African Nations Championship, a match they gained.
