Morocco Marches On! Hakimi Inspires Atlas Lions to Afcon Quarter-Finals with Tanzania Triumph

Paris St-Germain star Achraf Hakimi announced his return from injury in spectacular fashion, delivering the crucial assist that sent host nation Morocco into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resilient Tanzania side in Rabat.

The captain's perfectly weighted pass found Brahim Diaz, who ruthlessly fired past goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga at the near post midway through the second half, securing the Atlas Lions' passage to the last eight and keeping their Afcon dreams alive on home soil.

Captain's Return Sparks Morocco's Breakthrough

Playing his first match in over two months following an ankle injury, Hakimi proved why he's considered one of Africa's finest talents. The right-back's vision and precision created the moment that broke Tanzanian hearts and sent Moroccan fans into delirium.

Diaz's strike made history, as the Real Madrid playmaker became the first Morocco player to score in four successive matches at Afcon finals—a remarkable achievement that underscores his red-hot form. The attacking midfielder had already been the tournament's top scorer during qualifying with an impressive seven goals.

Morocco's pressure had been building throughout the second half, and when Hakimi threaded that decisive ball through Tanzania's defense, Diaz showed the clinical finishing that has made him indispensable to the Atlas Lions' campaign.

The match itself told the story of a dominant host nation struggling to find the breakthrough against opponents who defended with discipline, organization, and tremendous heart.

Hakimi nearly scored himself earlier, hammering a thunderous free-kick that crashed against the crossbar, leaving Moroccan supporters holding their breath. The PSG defender orchestrated wave after wave of attacks, constantly probing for weaknesses in Tanzania's defensive structure.

Goalkeeper Masalanga emerged as Tanzania's hero for much of the contest, producing an outstanding save from Abde Ezzalzouli's close-range header that seemed destined for the net. Ayoub El Kaabi also came agonizingly close, glancing Hakimi's dangerous cross just wide of the target.

Morocco's attacking intent was relentless, but Tanzania demonstrated why they belong at Africa's premier tournament, absorbing pressure and occasionally threatening on the counter-attack.

Feisal Salum gave Tanzanian fans a moment of genuine hope shortly before Diaz's winner, blasting the rebound over the bar after Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou failed to hold Mohamed Hussein's curling long-range effort.

That chance represented Tanzania's best opportunity to shock the hosts and silence the passionate crowd. Had Salum's effort dropped just inches lower, the narrative of this match—and potentially Morocco's entire tournament—could have been dramatically different.

Instead, Morocco regrouped, intensified their pressure, and found the breakthrough their dominance deserved through the Hakimi-Diaz combination that has become increasingly lethal.

Morocco now advances to a mouth-watering quarter-final clash scheduled for Friday at 19:00 GMT, where they will face either South Africa's Bafana Bafana or Cameroon's Indomitable Lions—two of African football's most storied teams.

That opponent will be determined when South Africa and Cameroon meet later Sunday evening in what promises to be another captivating encounter. Regardless of which team emerges, Morocco will face formidable opposition as the tournament reaches its crucial stages.

Playing at home provides the Atlas Lions with enormous advantages—passionate support, familiar conditions, and the weight of national expectation driving them forward. But it also brings pressure that can crush teams who cannot handle the intensity.

Morocco's Afcon campaign carries significance beyond continental borders. With players starring for European giants like Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain, the Atlas Lions represent African football's growing global influence.

Hakimi, in particular, embodies this new generation of African stars who dominate at the highest levels of European football while remaining committed to representing their nations. His return from injury provides Morocco with not just technical quality, but leadership and big-match experience crucial for tournament success.

For Ghana and other African football nations watching from home after failing to qualify, Morocco's performance demonstrates the rising standards across the continent. The Atlas Lions' blend of homegrown talent and diaspora stars playing at Europe's elite clubs sets a template other nations aspire to replicate.

Tanzania's spirited performance also deserves recognition. The Taifa Stars battled courageously against superior opposition, showcasing the competitive depth that makes Afcon one of world football's most unpredictable and entertaining tournaments.

Morocco's path to potential Afcon glory continues Friday, but questions remain. Can they maintain this momentum? Will Hakimi's fitness hold through the tournament's crucial stages? Can Diaz continue his historic scoring streak when defenses inevitably focus specifically on stopping him?

The answers will determine whether Morocco can claim their first Afcon title since 1976—a drought that weighs heavily on a nation passionate about football and hungry for continental supremacy.

As the tournament reaches its decisive phase, the Atlas Lions have shown they possess the talent, determination, and home support to go all the way. Now they must prove they have the resilience and tactical flexibility to overcome the elite opposition that stands between them and glory.

The quarter-finals await. Morocco marches on. African football watches with anticipation.