Morocco 1-0 Tanzania, Africa Cup Of Nations: Brahim Diaz Powers Atlas Lions Into Quarters

Brahim Diaz kept Morocco on course for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title by shooting the team into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Sunday (January 4, 2026). Diaz, who has quickly emerged as the tournament hosts' star player, broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. He beat Hussein Masalanga at his near post when the Taifa Stars' goalkeeper perhaps expected a cross. It was Diaz's fourth goal in four games and it set off celebrations of relief around Rabat’s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home team will play all its games as long as it keeps winning through to the final on January 18.

Updated on: 5 January 2026 1:46 pm

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Selamani Mwalimu

Tanzania's Selamani Mwalimu, center, fights for the ball with Morocco's Nayef Aguerd, left and Bilal El Khannouss during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

1/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Iddy Nado

Tanzania's Iddy Nado falls while chasing the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

2/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Adam Masina

Morocco's Adam Masina (25) goes for a header during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

3/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Mbwana Samatta

Tanzania's Mbwana Samatta, left, and Morocco's Nayef Aguerd vie for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

4/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Youssef En-Nesyri

Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri, left, and Tanzania's Ibrahim Hamad reach for a header during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

5/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Alphonce Mabula

Tanzania's Alphonce Mabula Msanga falls on Morocco's Ismael Saibari as they fight for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

6/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Achraf Hakimi

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, is challenged by Tanzania's Selamani Mwalimu during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

7/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Brahim Abdelkader Diaz

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

8/9

Morocco vs Tanzania Africa Cup Of Nations match-Brahim Diaz

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

9/9

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, second left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy