Diaz Sparks a Moroccan AFCON Fever: Following Pharaohs’ Footsteps in a Quarterfinal Thriller

Match Context

Stardom defies time!

Ibrahim Diaz, the Moroccan national team's rising star, stepped onto the pitch at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday, delivering a rare moment in AFCON history during the quarterfinal against Cameroon in the 2025 edition.

The Real Madrid forward struck in the 27th minute from a corner into the box, with Ayoub El Kaabi meeting the delivery with a precise header that Diaz clinically redirected into the net.

Diaz had already found the net against Zambia, Comoros, Mali, and Tanzania, and today added Cameroon to his tally, bringing his total to five goals and the tournament's leading scorer status.

Opta, the statistics provider, notes that players who have scored in five different matches in a single AFCON edition include Ndaye Mulamba (DR Congo, 1974), Mohamed Nagy Gedo (Egypt, 2010), Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon, 2022) and Ibrahim Diaz (Morocco, 2025).

This clash is seen as one of the tournament's marquee duels, described by many as an early final given the history and weight of the two sides. Morocco aim to capitalize on home advantage to push toward the long-awaited title since 1976, while Cameroon chase a sixth crown and to reaffirm its status among the continent's most decorated teams.

The match also underlined Diaz's growing importance for Morocco's ambitions and the tactical balance of a squad built for a long run in this tournament, with Rabat buzzing behind them.

Punchline one: If Diaz keeps this up, the press box will need a bigger chair—he’ll be sitting in the trophy cabinet by halftime. Punchline two: Morocco's fans aren’t hoping for luck; they’re hoping for a vacation to the trophy ceremony, preferably with good coffee on the side.