Cameroon aim to extend AFCON host dominance against Morocco

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 quarterfinals bring a blockbuster clash as Cameroon face hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday, 9 January 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 9PM CAT, live on SuperSport.

HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY

This will be the fourth AFCON meeting between the two nations, and Cameroon remain unbeaten against Morocco at the finals (two wins, one draw). Remarkably, it’s their first AFCON encounter in nearly 40 years – the last coming in January 1992.

- 1986 (Group Stage): Morocco led through Abdelkrim Krimau before Roger Milla equalised late for a 1-1 draw.

- 1988 (Semifinal): Cameroon knocked out hosts Morocco with a 78th‑minute strike from Cyril Makanaky.

- 1992 (Group Stage): André Kana-Biyik scored the only goal in a 1-0 Cameroon win.

Cameroon dominated the rivalry for decades, going unbeaten in their first 13 meetings between 1981 and 2017. Morocco, however, have won the last two encounters – a Hakim Ziyech brace in AFCON 2019 qualifying and a 4-0 victory at CHAN 2020.

CAMEROON VS AFCON HOSTS

Cameroon have a rich history against tournament hosts, facing them 13 times with six wins, five draws, and just two defeats. Their only group-stage losses came against Sudan in 1970 and South Africa in 1996.

The Indomitable Lions have an edge over the Atlas Lions when it comes to AFCON matches.

They meet again tomorrow in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 quarter-finals 🔥#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/V8qMmY9BHc — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 8, 2026

Since then, they’ve gone unbeaten in six straight matches against hosts, including knockout wins over Morocco (1988), Mali (2002), Ghana (2008), and Nigeria (2000 final on penalties).

They’ve kept nine clean sheets in 13 AFCON matches against hosts, underlining their resilience on the big stage.

CAMEROON KEY STATS

- Beat South Africa 2-1 in the Round of 16, their 49th AFCON win.

- This is their 11th AFCON quarterfinal, second only to Nigeria (12).

- Quarterfinal record: 10 played, 5 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses.

- Have won five quarterfinals in open play and one on penalties (vs Senegal, 2017).

- Lost quarterfinals to DRC (1998), Nigeria (2004), Egypt (2010), and Ivory Coast (2006, on penalties).

- Junior Tchamadeu became the first Cameroonian defender to score in an AFCON knockout match since 2017.

- Christian Kofane has scored in back-to-back AFCON games, with 12 shots – the most by a Cameroonian.

- Bryan Mbeumo leads the team with nine chances created.

- Cameroon’s possession average (43.2 per cent) is the lowest among quarterfinalists.

MOROCCO KEY STATS

- Reached their fifth AFCON quarterfinal after beating Tanzania 1-0.

- Previous quarterfinal record: one win (vs Algeria, 2004) and three defeats (1998, 2017, 2021).

- Last semifinal appearance came in 2004.

- Have won three matches at this tournament, keeping three clean sheets – their best defensive run since 2004.

- Brahim Diaz has been the standout, scoring four goals – a Moroccan record for a single AFCON – and finding the net in four straight matches.

- Morocco lead the tournament in passing, completing 2 184 passes so far, with 71 per cent possession v Tanzania.

- Achraf Hakimi registered his first assist of the competition.

- Morocco have scored seven goals overall, though none yet in the final 15 minutes of matches.

WHAT TO EXPECT

- Cameroon bring pedigree, defensive steel, and a history of upsetting hosts.

- Morocco, backed by home support, boast attacking flair through Brahim Diaz and control in midfield led by Hakimi.

This quarterfinal is more than just a clash of giants – it’s a meeting of tradition and momentum, with a semifinal spot on the line.